July 22, 1940 - August 3, 2025
Elveta Ann Dycus was born on July 22, 1940, in Bower, Oklahoma, to Edgar and Mildred (Holloway) Payne. She was the younger sister of Verla Christine, whom she always looked up to. They moved to Stockton, California, via train in July 1945. She met Jerry, the boy next door, while living on Mosswood in Stockton and invited him to go to church with her that day. They were very active in the local youth group at the Brethren Church.
She was in the first graduating class of Edison High School in 1958. She was also a synchronized swimmer while in high school and spoke of her performance with fondness. She was very proud of her Edison roots and would go to the reunions when she could. She proudly went to the 65th reunion held in 2023. She started work for National Life and Accident Insurance Company in Stockton, later American General, at the age of 19. She proudly worked there for over 40 years, finishing at their branch in Fresno, CA.
She married Jerry Wayne Dycus on April 1, 1960. They were married for 64 1⁄2 years until his passing in November 2024. They purchased a piece of property with a home in 1964 in Lodi, California, out in the country, where they would live for the next sixty years. Jerry and Elveta welcomed daughters, Julie Ann and Jennifer Jerry. The family attended the Brethren Church of Stockton every Sunday until the girls were adults. She was a Sunday School Teacher and the Brethren Church Treasurer during those years.
While the girls were younger, they enjoyed traveling all over the United States, including many trips to Tennessee, including a 1982 trip to the World’s Fair and a family reunion. They were able to take the girls to Oahu and Kauai. Elveta/Mother would always map out things to do on the trips, which was long before the digital age. She loved to read maps and would always get them out if someone was traveling to different locations.
After retiring, Jerry and Elveta traveled with Verla and Bill Suggett. They loved their adventures, which took them all over the US and Europe, where their daughter Jennifer had moved to teach. They also took a cruise to Alaska. They were able to spend time with Jennifer and Kevin in their homes in London and Luxembourg. Another favorite destination was Disneyland, as parents and grandparents with Julie and Bill’s family.
In 1997, Elveta took on the new role of “Grandma”, which she embraced. She was present in the labor room for four out of five of her grandchildren (all those born in the USA). She was over the moon with the birth of the first grandchild and the others who followed in 2001, 2003, 2006, and 2010. She passed on her love for Jesus to each one by teaching them songs, reading the Bible, and praying with them. She loved to read and would read to the grandkids whenever she could. She also enjoyed a picnic lunch on the lawn with them from time to time. In her early days of being a grandma, she would play badminton, take them to the movies, and bake with them. She was a great cook, although very humble about her abilities.
Elveta loved her sons-in-law, too. She welcomed Bill into the family many years ago. He always loved her cooking, and she even baked for a woodworking class he was taking. She later welcomed Kevin into the family and preferred him to be the tour guide when they visited him and Jen in Europe and the Bay Area.
Over the last year and seven months, she never lost faith even after losing Jerry and her ability to walk. She was a proud member of the Grace Church of Lockeford for over 30 years. She was a very quiet person who kept her prayer list until the last few months. She was faithful in her prayers and always wanted to pray for others.
Elveta is survived by daughter Julie and Bill Coons, Jacob, Emily, and Lucas, and daughter Jennifer and Kevin Rees, Aedan, and Abby. She also had many nieces, nephews, and cousins whom she loved dearly.
Her loving husband, Jerry, and her parents, Edgar and Mildred (Holloway) Payne, and sister and best friend, Verla Christine Suggett, preceded her in death.
Elveta was the most selfless and caring woman. She will be remembered for her generosity, everlasting faith, her delicious meals, and deep love for her family. Her presence will be missed immensely, and her legacy will live on through the memories shared by all who knew and loved her.
CELEBRATION OF LIFE
A celebration of life will be held on Monday, August 11, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at the Grace Church of Lockeford, 13301 Dawson Rd, Lockeford, CA 95237. Private interment services were held. Pastor Steve Knox will officiate.
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Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Dycus family.