SERVICE: Wednesday, August 26,2026

11:00 a.m.

Jones & Son Funeral Home

INTERMENT: Edwards Cemetery

VISITATION: Wednesday, August 26, 2026

9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Jones & Son Funeral Home

Winnie Mae (Brewer) Dykes went to her heavenly home on Friday, August 21, 2026.  She was born on February 25, 1938, in Greene County (Sand Hill), Mississippi, to Walter Brewer and Ida Mae (Gordon) Brewer.  She was the seventh of ten children, seven girls and three boys.  She married Joe Dale Dykes of Richton, Mississippi, on December 27, 1958, and they were blessed with one daughter, Sherry (Dykes) Jones, and one son, Russell Dykes.

Raised in a large family with other musically gifted siblings, Winnie Mae joined the frequent family jam sessions by playing the upright bass fiddle. She and her sisters, Dottie and Pat, formed a trio in high school and performed at local events playing country, bluegrass, and gospel music. She was selected Sand Hill's Sweetheart (Most Beautiful) 1954-55 and was also known for her exceptional basketball talent.

Winnie was a faithful member of Good Hope Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School, Girls in Action, and Vacation Bible School classes as a young adult.  She loved her church family, especially her "sisters" in the Women's Sunday School class.

She was employed for several years at Reliance and Big Yank factories in Hattiesburg; although her true calling was realized in her 40s when she became a Certified Nursing Assistant for the Perry County General Hospital Home Health Agency.  She was a true caregiver, serving all her patients in Perry, Greene, and Wayne counties with respect, kindness, and compassion.  Although she received multiple professional acknowledgements, her work ethic and motivation was not for earthly rewards; her love language was service to others and she fulfilled this calling with great passion.

She loved gardening and cooking.  She was known for her cathead biscuits, tomato gravy, potato soup, lemon icebox pies, coconut cakes, homemade fig tarts, and so many more delicious treats.  She always knew what someone's favorite meal or dessert was and she thoughtfully had it prepared when you arrived at her house to visit.  She loved her kids, but she really loved becoming "Nanny" to her grandkids and great grandkids.  She was always involved and supportive in their lives and the first to brag about their many accomplishments.

She will forever be remembered for her compassion and empathy for others, and without a doubt, her kind smile.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Ida Mae Brewer; triplet daughters (deceased at birth), Regina, Rebecca, and Ramona Dykes; five sisters, Melba Manning, Bracie Jones, Myrtice Gatlin, Jean Watts, and Dottie Crawford; and two brothers, Tellie Brewer and Esra Brewer.

She is survived by her daughter, Sherry Jones; son, Russell (Adam) Dykes; grandchildren, Sarah Jackson and Jacob (Zoua) Reighter; great grandchildren, Weston Reighter, Selah Belle Jackson, Niah Rose Jackson, Leyton Jackson, Sophia Hein, and Liam Reighter; one sister, Pat Wells; one brother, Raybe (Jan) Brewer; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are Jacob Reighter, Weston Reighter, Leyton Jackson, Alex Brewer, Cary Dykes, and Devin Dykes