SATURDAY

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:1-3 NIV

Prayer Focus

If you are a person who completed your work week yesterday, be thankful. You probably have Saturday and Sunday off. If you must still work today, be thankful that you have a job. Work well today. Work and earn your pay. Serve the Lord on His day!

Thankfulness

Today, I am thankful to do many things. I had a dear friend, Mrs. Anniebel Harrell, who told me that even though she could not do so many of the things she had gladly done for many years as she took care of her family, her yard, and her house, she could and did do something that was of great importance. She could PRAY! If I ever get limited like that and forget to be thankful, please, remind me! I hope I can still pray for my family, my church, my friends, etc.

Today is Day 23. What are you thankful for?

Operation Christmas Child

We only had one church to deliver shoeboxes yesterday, but we are thankful for them. Their boxes are in cartons and ready to place in the trailer Monday. That’s when we turn in the remailing shoeboxes for 2024.

Schedule for last days:

Saturday 10:00-Noon

Sunday 4:00-6:00

Monday. 8:00-10:00

(We have already sent a trailer load of cartons of boxes to Hammond. We always make two trips, with the second one being Monday Hopefully, it you are bringing items Monday, you will come early because we will be working to fill the trailer and complete all the paperwork before taking everything to Hammond.)

I’m thankful for the extra items that were turned in as FILLER and have already included that filler with filler from our church. (No church names are written on the boxes.) If you haven’t brought your boxes yet, pack up your excess items in plastic bags for us to send in as FILLER. I have purple “FILLER” labels ready for your items. We will accept your FILLER as long as we are working.

The FILLER will be used by the processing center in Dallas to add to boxes they needed to remove something from, such as toothpaste, that is not allowed or if the box was too full. Sometimes we purchase items that are too big, like a doll. If the processing center cannot use your filler, they will pass it on to another location, such as a hospital playroom for children who are patients. They will gladly put it to use.

Read the Bible Today

  • November 23
  • Ezekiel 24:6-26:6
  • Psalm 129:1-8
  • Proverbs 28:9-11
  • James 5:1-20

Obituary

Ouida Parker Dykes

March 23, 1936 – November 21, 2024

Ouida’s Obituary


Ouida Fay Parker Dykes, age 88, of Kentwood went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, November 21, 2024. She was born on March 23, 1936 to Rev. H.C. and Eunice Parker in Crosby, Mississippi.

Ouida moved to the East Fork community as a teenager when her father was called to pastor East Fork Baptist Church. She often shared her memory of sitting on the porch of the parsonage and telling her sister, “yall can stay here if you want to, but I’m not!” Turns out, she never left. She graduated from Spring Creek High School. Ouida met Charles N. Dykes Sr. when he returned from his military service in Germany, and (by his recollection) promptly declared “I am going to marry him”. They were married and built a little yellow brick house in East Fork – just next to the church that she had planned to leave as soon as she was able. Together, they had three children, eight grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.

Ouida was the school secretary (also, nurse, teacher’s therapist, sippy stand money counter, substitute teacher scheduler, and many other roles) at Spring Creek Elementary for 30 years. She was known for her kind and caring spirit – she took care of people. She took care of her family as well. She cooked countless meals in the kitchen of the little yellow brick house – with only a couple of minor fires. She fed Charles, her children, her siblings, lots of pastors and their families, and the grandchildren. Mawmaw Ouida was known for “rolling out” a pan of biscuits, spooning the bacon grease on top of the fried eggs, chicken fried steak, chicken and dumplings, roast with rice and gravy, crawfish etouffee, and ALL the cakes and pies. She loved the Lord, and it was evident by the way she loved people – a life well lived.

The visitation will be 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Sunday, November 24, 2024 at East Fork Baptist Church, Kentwood. Visitation will continue at the church on Monday, November 25, 2024, 9:00 a.m. until funeral service at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Jay Avance officiating. The burial will be at East Fork Cemetery.

She is proceeded in death by her husband of 57 years, Charles N. Dykes Sr.; parents Rev. H.C. and Eunice Knight Parker, and stepmother Ruby Parker; sisters, Doris Cabler, Eloise Lambert, Betty Bankston; brothers, H.C. Parker Jr., Harold Parker, and Charles Parker.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her children Charlotte Alford (Tim), Mindy Klinger (Michael), Charles N. Dykes Jr. (Rachel); grandchildren Jesse Alford (Molly), Jeremy Alford (Whitney), Carrie Dunn (Joe), Kyle King (Nikki), Kady King, Caleb Dykes (Jordan), Nicholas Dykes (Kristie), Ethan Dykes; 14 great grandchildren; sister, Patricia Rushing; and loving caregivers, Carolyn Romero, and Barbara Brown.

Pallbearers will be Jesse Alford, Jeremy Alford, Kyle King, Caleb Dykes, Nicholas Dykes, Ethan Dykes, and Eli Alford.

Don’t forget your Sunday School Lesson.

We are finishing up our study of Acts today. You will also need to pick up new literature for next Sunday.

Be a blessing to someone today!

Anna Lee