Rose Marie Josey Dykes, of Vicksburg, died Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017, at home with her family. She was 72.

Rose was born May 24, 1945, in Memphis, Tenn., and was raised in Natchez. She attended Natchez Adams County High School, where she was a Rebelette and graduated in 1963. She attended Copiah Lincoln Community College, where she served as Head Collette. She went on to attend Mississippi College for Women, where she was a Mam’selle and graduated with a degree in English. She married Thomas E. Dykes in 1968 and moved to Vicksburg, where she spent the rest of her life. In their 33 years of marriage, they had five children, Amy, James, Eugene, Ann Marie and Thomas Jr.

She is survived by her two daughters, Amy Dykes McMahon (Michael) and Ann Marie Smith (Carter); sister, Gaynell Josey Whitney (Richard); and five grandchildren, Michael William McMahon Jr., Matthew Thomas McMahon, Christopher Dykes McMahon, Thomas Cole Smith and Hayes Carter Smith.

She was preceded in death by her infant sons, James and Eugene; her son, Thomas Jr.; and her parents, Opal and Lloyd Josey.

She taught at Warren Central High School as an English teacher and later worked at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a writer and editor for 25 years, retiring in 2014.  She was a devoted and dedicated mother, grandmother, mother-in-law and friend, attending all activities and sporting events for her grandsons. She was involved in the Vicksburg Jaycettes, the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary, Crawford Street United Methodist Church and served as a Miss Mississippi Pageant hostess. She enjoyed bridge club, playgroup, dancing, getting together with friends and entertaining.

Funeral services will be noon Friday, Aug. 11, at Riles Funeral Home.

Visitation will be 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Interment will follow at Greenlawn Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Michael William McMahon Sr., Heidle Carter Smith, Michael William McMahon Jr., Matthew Thomas McMahon, Christopher Dykes McMahon and Richard Malcolm Whitney.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Rose’s name to the Thomas Dykes Jr., Scholarship Fund, Vicksburg Catholic Schools, 1900 Grove Street, Vicksburg, MS 39183, with checks payable to Vicksburg Catholic Schools and a note on memo line for Thomas Dykes Jr., Scholarship Fund.