Fredrick Ben Dyess

Fred was generous, loving, kind, and compassionate and will forever be missed.

Fred was born on May 5, 1955 to Bennie Clyde and Bonnie Jean Dyess in Waynesboro, Mississippi. He was a vibrant personality from the start with a love for sharing the best stories, while seeking true connection with everyone he met.

He moved to Houston, TX, in the early 1980s where he would meet the love of his life – Judy Flowers Dyess. They were married in July 1990 at Second Baptist Church, Houston, where they were both active in the music ministry and where Fred worked for a few years. They have one son Benjamin Seth Dyess.

The family moved to Vestavia Hills in Birmingham, AL in 1994. In 2015, he opened Avondale Antiques, his “public man cave”, where he followed his passion for antiques, connecting his many loyal clients and friends with “his unique finds for their unique spaces.”

Fred devoted most of his time to his passion for antiques, but he was always available to lend a helping hand to his friends, and he volunteered with the Vestavia Men’s Garden Club. He was proud that he went back to school in his forties to finish his Bachelor’s degree at The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) where he received a BA in History.

Fred Dyess is predeceased by both of his parents and his brother Gary “Mike” Dyess. He is survived by his wife Judy Dyess; his son Seth Dyess; his brother David Dyess and wife Barbara Dyess; a second mother in Houston, TX, Betty Brockman; nieces and nephews; and other friends including his close friend Clay McCollum.

Above all, Fred was dedicated to being a friend and mentor to those he loved. In Fred’s words, “The true payback of my shop has been all the wonderful friends I’ve made there, and I am truly blessed.”

A Celebration of Life will be held at Avondale Antiques on January 22, 2021 at 11:00 AM with a visitation starting at 10:30 AM.

"A scholarship fund is being set up in Fred’s name at UAB. Donations can be made using the link below."

https://go.uab.edu/Dyess