Joan Dykes Word

At the blessed age of 84 on September 3, 2025 heavenly angels ushered God’s faithful child, Joan Dykes Word to walk the streets of gold with God and be reunited with the love of her life, her husband of 57 years, Paul Word. There to greet her were her parents, Fred and Audie Dykes and her sister, Brenda Dykes DiMichele.

Joan is survived by her loving family: her daughters Amy Word and Leigh Ann Scarbrough (Bill); her son, Brett Word (Renee); Grandchildren: Aly Scarbrough, Maggie Scarbrough, Amelia Word, Andrew Word (Samantha), and Aaron Word; brother, Freddy Dykes (Sylvia), sister, Becky Williams (Alan); nieces and nephews: Wendy DiMichele Burris (George), Andy DiMichele (Susan), Patrick DiMichele (Ashley), April Peitsch (Randy), Ashley Bell (Wes), Haley Williams, Lindsey Alan Williams (Heather), Janet Garner, and Molly Traylor(Shane); also several great nieces and nephews and one great great niece. She loved her family deeply and was so very proud and supportive of all their endeavors. They gave her great joy.

Joan was an educator for nearly four decades. She taught English and Humanities at the high school level. Joan was especially proud to be an integral part of Writing Across The Curriculum at Troy State University. She greatly influenced so many students showing them the joy of literature, writing and self- expression. She retired from her teaching position in 2003.

Joan was a loyal member of First Baptist Church of Troy where she had been a member for 40 years. She enjoyed being a part of the Lydia Sunday School Class and loved being a part of this church community.

After retirement Joan began exploring her wonderful gift of art. She became an amazing watercolor artist and was so kind to gift her work to family and friends. She so often painted a watercolor card and sent them to family members and her friends on special occasions. She had a gift of remembering special days of her family and friends and her cards were so very much enjoyed by all who received them. She painted portraits of beloved pets, and their eyes look as though you could look into their souls. She once said that to her, the greatest art compliment she could be given was a compliment of the eyes she painted as they were the most difficult to “get just right”. She painted them perfectly!

Joan had a love of beautiful flowers and enjoyed gardening in her yard. She also enjoyed baking and cooking and sharing recipes with others. Joan was a very kind, loving, gracious, true Southern Lady. She is a blessing to all who know and love her. Her warm beautiful smile had a way of lighting up a room and her smile and laughter could melt away even the grayest skies. While she will be so deeply missed here, we know she is at peace and is adding her wonderful light and joy to Heaven.

The family wishes to thank the kind and compassionate care of Compassus Hospice Care. They were a blessing to her and her family.

Visitation for Mrs. Word will be held on September 7, 2025 from 1:00 to 2:00p.m. at Green Hills Funeral Home with funeral services beginning at 2:00 p.m. The internment will follow in Green Hills Cemetery.

The family ask in lieu of flowers a contribution be made in her memory to Troy Animal Rescue Project, The Johnson Center For The Arts or Friends of The Library.

Joan had such a sweet way of saying “Goodbye” when ending a phone conversation. The way she said it you knew she meant “goodbye for now”. The love she had for her family and friends and their love for her will never end and will live on in our hearts forever.

The staff of Green Hills Funeral Home is honored to serve the Word family.