Lovine Dykes Grady

Lovine, known by her family as “Dude”, was born into a large family near Hartsfield in Colquitt County Georgia to Mittie Alma Borders and Charles C. Dykes, Sr. The family bought a farm near Funston, Georgia where they grew cotton, tobacco, peanuts and much of their own food. Milking the cows and churning butter was one of her childhood chores. As a teenager, she made extra money by stringing tobacco leaves on wooden sticks for curing. Graduated Moultrie High School in 1951 and studied at Norman Park Jr. College. She married and moved to Dallas, Texas in 1951. In 1968 the family moved to Duncanville, Texas where she lived for 55 years before moving to Sachse, Texas.

She began her insurance career in 1954 with Flowers Insurance Agency in Oak Cliff. This agency sold to Avery, Mays & Associates In 1965. She excelled as an insurance agent and underwriter and in 1977 became partner at Mays, Grady & Burruss Insurance Agency. Later became President of Grady, Burruss & Beckham, Inc. After selling the agency, she worked for the Army Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) in Human Resources where she facilitated Retirement Preparation seminars and helped people navigate their journey to retirement.

Lovine utilized her organizational, leadership and people skills in business and professional organizations. For 25 years from 1970 to 1995 she was an influential leader and active member in Business & Professional Women’s Club (B&PW), American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) and Southwest B&PW – Business & Professional Women’s Club.

Her extensive involvement included District Public Relations chairperson on the Southwest B&PW Membership Committee, Chairperson in the Duncanville Charter Chapter of ABWA, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, VP, and President in both ABWA and B&PW. Served on multiple committees, Ways & Means, Hospitality, Spring Enrollment, Sunshine Program, Education Program to name a few.

Her favorite annual fundraiser event was the Spring Fashion Shows that raised scholarship money for young business women in the community. Not only was she the chairperson of the show, she was also a popular model. She was proud of her success at lining up well-known guest speakers for the shows. Everyone knew that if you wanted something done, Lovine was the one to make it happen!

She served as VP of Duncanville Chamber of Commerce and committee chairman for Duncanville’s fourth of July celebration baby contest.

Member of Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce, Duncanville Chamber of Commerce, Dallas Association of Insurance Agents, American Insurance Women, Dallas Independent Insurance Agents Associations, Texas and National Insurance Agents Association, American Cancer Association, and American Heart Association.

Her professional honors include Who’s Who in Professional and Executive Women of America, Woman of the Year Business & Professional Women’s Club, Woman of the Year Duncanville Charter Chapter American Business Women’s Association, and included in the ‘2000 Notable American Women of America’.

In later years she enjoyed volunteering at the Duncanville Outreach Center.

Lovine was the spiritual leader of her family doing the hard job of getting three kids to church every Sunday. She served the Lord by serving others and was a prayer warrior all her life.

She was an active member of First Baptist Church in Duncanville for many years. She started attending First United Methodist Church, Duncanville in 1980 where she helped organize a Single Adult Sunday School class, served on the Evangelism Committee, Finance Committee, Caring Committee, and was recording secretary for the Administrative Board. She was appointed as Trustee and Treasurer of the Dallas Southwest Region of United Methodist Churches.

Lovine had a natural, God-given charisma, made friends easily and kept a wide-circle of friends. She will be remembered for her heart-warming smile, soothing laugh and no-nonsense approach to life. Her family and friends were near and dear to her heart. She was a big personality in a small package. Always well-dressed, professional, courageous, inspirational, caring, and fun-loving. By being herself, she demonstrated what can be accomplished through determination and perseverance. She defended and advocated for others, and was not afraid to do difficult work. She touched so many lives and desired to make others feel important and special. She gave of herself not for her own gain but so that other people’s lives might be better.

Her success in life was due to her ability to keep up with current events before the days of the internet. She was a positive influencer long before influencer was a popular term.

She was a proud American with a deep faith in God who dearly loved her family and circle of friends. Her kind and generous nature was felt by everyone who knew her. She will be deeply missed by her beloved family and wide-circle of friends.

Family Members

Children

Mick Grady and wife Arlene of Fort Worth, TX, Keith Grady and wife Vanessa of Weatherford, TX, daughter Cathy and husband Rodney Heckman of Sachse, TX

Grandchildren

Kyle and Tabitha Grady of Forney, TX, Kristi Zapata of Weatherford, TX, and Riley Heckman and Amber Garland of Quinlan, TX, Mitzi and Donnie Smith of Fort Worth, TX, Justin Goss of Weatherford, TX, and Veronica and Adam McCaskill of Ft Worth, TX

Great and great-great grandchildren

Kendall Grady, Kannon Grady, Sophia Zapata, Max Zapata, Emiliano Zapata, and Josie Heckman, Nevaeh Nelson and Dakota Nelson, Bailey Smith Blakeney, Aubree Smith, Cash Blakeney, Emorie Long, Scarlett Rorie, Harlow Rorie, Grady Goss, Georgia Goss.

Surviving siblings

Dell Dykes Carlton and Shirley Dykes Ebner

Preceded in death by her parents, baby William H. Dykes, baby Dowling Bernice Dykes, Charles C. Dykes Jr., Cecil W. Dykes, Ulysess Jack Dykes, Joseph Robert (Bobby) Dykes, Gladys Brown, Verna Harrod, Ruby Lee (Bill) Gay, Laverne Brown Tucker, grandson Barry Wayne Head, and grandson-in-law Alex Zapata.

A visitation for Gloria will be held Tuesday, July 29, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Duncanville's First Baptist Church, 323 W Wheatland Rd, Duncanville, TX 75116. A funeral will occur Tuesday, July 29, 2025 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM, 323 W Wheatland Rd, Duncanville, TX 75116. A reception will occur Tuesday, July 29, 2025 from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM, 323 W Wheatland Rd, Duncanville, TX 75116. A committal will occur Tuesday, July 29, 2025 from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM at Little Bethel Memorial Park, 1803 Cedar Hill Rd, Duncanville, TX 75137.