Louise Dyess

Louise Dyess, 86, passed away on Monday, August 7, 2017. Private committal will be at Oakwood Cemetery. Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 10, at Lakewood Christian Church, 6509 Bosque Boulevard, with Reverend Richard Roland officiating. Born in Bruceville-Eddy on December 25, 1930, Louise was the daughter of Bessie Knight Harrell and Ernest Edwin Harrell. A lifelong resident of Waco, she attended Waco public schools. In 1949, she married Billy Lynn Alford, and they were blessed with three children, Michael, LuAnn and Nancy. After a happy marriage and building a lifetime of treasured memories, she became a widow on December 16, 1982, with her husband's untimely death. She later married Billy Wayne Dyess in 1996 in Waco. They united their families, and she cherished her three stepsons, Gary, Greg and Bobby Jack Dyess, and their families. Louise's love for God, her family and her church were the focus of her life. For many years, she was an active, faithful member of Central Christian Church, where she served in various ministries and on many committees. She especially enjoyed serving in her Friendship Sunday School Class. She later transferred and renewed her membership at Lakewood Christian Church, where she had many dear friends and served again in that congregation. She was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother whose activities were concentrated around her family. Her full life reflected her dedication to her family, friends and volunteerism, as well as her Christian service. She found great joy in being a homemaker, gardening and traveling. She and her second husband enjoyed the Cabaret and Philo Dance Clubs. Together, they shared the enjoyment of life each and every day. She is preceded in death by her first husband; her parents; brother, Ernest Harrell; and sister, Brenda Harrell Wells. She is survived by her husband, Bill Dyess; son, Michael Alford and wife, Carolyn; daughters, LuAnn Alford Browder and husband, Bond, and Nancy Alford Beheler; stepsons, Gary Dyess and wife, Mary, Greg Dyess and wife, Margie, and Bobby Jack Dyess and wife, Cindy; two brothers, Joe Ed Harrell and J. R. Harrell. Louise is also survived by eleven adored grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, sister-in­-law, Betty Alford Brown and husband, Downs; and many nieces and nephews. Honorary pallbearers will be Frank Andrle, Buck Bigham, Frank Dicorte, Levi Lupu, Richard McCaskill, Mel Post, Dick Taylor and Jim Young. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Lakewood Christian Church, 6509 Bosque Boulevard, Waco, Texas, 76710; Shriners Hospitals for Children, 6977 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77030-3701; or the charity of one's choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.