Mrs. Regina Dykes

Obituary Regina Lynn Gladyness was born on January 11, 1961 in Wayne, Michigan. She spent her childhood growing up in Romulus, Michigan. She obtained her elementary and secondary education in Romulus and graduated from Romulus High School in 1979 with honors and a full scholarship to attend the University of Michigan, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Accounting. Regina then joined the United States Army which is where she spent three years serving her county in various locations. While in the military in Germany, Regina met Eric Dykes. Their relationship continued as they returned to the States and they were later married in Arlington, Virginia. To this union three handsome and beautiful children were born, Christopher, Cameron and Ciara. Regina began her federal career with the Bureau of Prisons in Leavenworth, Kansas, after which she worked for the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) in Kansas City, Missouri, and continued her employment with the USDA where she retired with over 34 years of federal service. While in the military and throughout her life, Regina loved to travel to different places just to see what they had to offer her. They provided lifelong memories during her numerous travels with her family and friends. Regina was extremely creative and loved crafting beautiful things with her hands. She had numerous hobbies such as sewing, crocheting, scrapbooking, making wreaths and miniature Christmas trees. She donated her creations to various groups and organizations to be sold for charity, or delighted in surprising her friends with homemade gifts. Regina volunteered for the Make-A-Wish foundation for many years where she helped to fulfill the wishes of children with cancer and other illnesses. Along with her other inventive ideas, she loved to collect all types of beads and design jewelry. This was an activity she and her daughter Ciara enjoyed together. After Ciara’s passing in 2009, Regina’s jewelry making and designing became a special calling for her. She started “The Jewelry Bee,” as a nonprofit jewelry business she would use to help others in honor of Ciara. Working with the organization Wells for Life, Regina donated all of the proceeds from her jewelry sales to fund and build more than 75 water wells in towns and villages all over rural India. These critically-needed wells help to provide hundreds of people with access to clean drinking water nearby. Cameron visited India to represent the family, to witness the opening and dedication of wells, and to meet some of those Regina’s work has helped. Regina was a doting wife and mother, and a fun-loving, spirited person who lived and loved life to the fullest. She was a committed Christian and devoted in her faith. She believed in the power of prayer and was an inspiration to all who knew her. She was kind to all, and could always be found talking with someone, be it an old friend or a person she had just met. She never met strangers, just new acquaintances and new friends. She served as a mediator and was always working to hold the family together. Regina was so connected to her nieces and nephews that they would sometimes confide in her more than in their own parents, some even calling her “Auntie Momma.” She was known as the calm one of the group, always so very approachable, and ready to lend an ear or a helping hand to anyone. Regina leaves to cherish her memory: Eric Dykes, her loving husband of 34 years, and her sons Christopher and Cameron Dykes, all of Leavenworth, KS. Her daughter Ciara and her father Freddie Gladyness preceded her in death. She is also survived by her Mother Peggy L. Gladyness of Gainesville, FL; her sisters: Shirley (Ronnie) Bennett of Natchitoches, LA; Patricia McCarty of Charlotte, NC; Pauline Metcalf (Kelvin Powell) of Gainsville, FL; brothers: Freddie (Cynthia) Gladynes, Jr. of Grand Rapids, MI; O. B. Glaydness, of Kentwood, MI; David (Heather) Glaydness of Grand Rapids, MI.; her uncles and aunts: Jerry & Shriley Sampract of Alexandria, LA; Arthur Willis of Aurora, IL; Marie Harris of Pineville, LA; and Ruby Poole of Summerville, SC. There are also a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends too numerous to mention. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, February 4, 2023, 1:00pm at Trinty COGIC, 244881 S.139th St., Leavenworth, KS. Service conducted by Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be shared on our website. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mrs. Regina Dykes, please visit our floral store. Read More

Mrs. Regina Dykes

January 11, 1961 - January 22, 2023