September 19, 1949 - on March 27, 2025

Mary Frances Mahaffey Dykes went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 27, 2025, after a brief illness.

Mary was born September 19, 1949, in Tyler to Frances Margaret Bearden and Bennett Rogan Mahaffey.

Mary grew up in Canton and attended Canton schools for 12 years graduating in 1968. She was a member of the Canton High School Band playing the baritone saxophone.

Mary enrolled in Texas Women’s University School of Nursing and graduated in 1974 with a BSN. She began her nursing career at Terrell State Hospital and was a nurse manager for several years.

She served on various committees and was involved in patient care and always championed better patient care.

If there was a birthday, retirement party, shower, or if a staff member had a time of bereavement, Mary was involved in celebrating or comforting her staff.

She was board certified in psychiatric nursing with the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She finished her nursing career with the Andrews Center in East Texas.

It was said of her that those patients under her care always got better. Mary, known as the favorite Aunt, by her nieces and nephews, was always baking cookies, popcorn balls and hosting slumber parties.

She was an excellent cook, and every holiday was celebrated regardless of the importance. She went to extremes decorating and cooking for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas and usually had a Christmas tree in every room.

When asked to provide a dozen cookies or a cake for any occasion, she would make four or five dozen and several cakes! Her signature dish was Lorraine’s corn casserole.

Mary was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church in Canton and devoted to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, John Michael Mahaffey. Mary will be lovingly remembered by Kelly Dykes, her husband of 48 years.

Siblings: Bennett Rogan (Sonny) Mahaffey, Betty Mahaffey McCann (Gere), Margaret Michele Mahaffey Reeves, Judy Mahaffey Cunningham (Sonny).

Three Nephews: Dr. J. W. (Andrea) Dailey (Sons – Ethan and Caleb) LTC (Rtd) Jared (Debbie) Norrell (Daughter - Audrey, Sons – Rogan and Heath) Charles (Shannon) Temple (Daughter - Mia).

Two Nieces: Melanie (Travis) Mahaffey (Daughters - Harper and Hendley) Christie (Nick) Mahaffey (Sons – Cash and Duke) A Celebration of Life was held at FBC Canton on April 5, 2025, at 2 p.m. Visitation was one hour before the service.

Pallbearers were Dr. J. W. Dailey, LTC (Rtd) Jared Norrell, Charles Temple, Ethan Dailey, Caleb Dailey, and Heath Norrell. Memorial Requests in lieu of flowers to FBC Children’s Building.