Terry Dykes Dalrymple

Terry Dykes Dalrymple, age 79, of the Double Churches community, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.

Dykes was born on August 3, 1947, in Carnesville, Georgia, to Frank and Ruby McFarlin Dalrymple. He married Diana Walters Dalrymple of Carnesville, and together they shared 58 years of marriage. Dykes devoted much of his life to public service. He retired from the State of Georgia Department of Motor Vehicle Safety, previously known as the Public Service Commission, following 33 years of faithful service. Earlier in his career, he served as a law enforcement officer with the City of Canon, City of Royston, and Franklin County Sheriff's Office. He also served as a firearms instructor for the State of Georgia.

Along with his many years in law enforcement, Dykes dedicated 48 years to serving his community as a firefighter and first responder with the Double Churches Fire Department and Franklin County EMS. He was a founding member of the Double Churches Fire Department and served as its first chief, a position he held for 17 years. Dykes was also instrumental in the establishment of Franklin County EMS's first paid ambulance service and the construction of EMS Station 3 in the Double Churches community. His decades of service reflected his deep commitment to helping and protecting the people of Franklin County. Dykes had a lifelong love of the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, tending to his farm, and raising cattle. He was a member of the Franklin County Cattlemen's Association and the Northeast Georgia Saddle Club. An accomplished horseman, Dykes was a four-time State Champion in the Racking Horse Division, riding the same horse on which his father had also won. He was a member and Past Master of Hebron Masonic Lodge No. 564, as well as a Shriner and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Above all else, Dykes had a strong relationship with Jesus Christ. He worshiped at New Bethel Baptist Church, where he faithfully served for many years as a deacon and Sunday School teacher. His faith was an important part of his life and was reflected in the way he served others. Dykes loved his community, his church, and, most of all, his family. His life was marked by faith, service, dedication, and a willingness to help others. The many years he spent serving Franklin County and the Double Churches community leave a lasting legacy for those who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Ruby Dalrymple; and siblings, Eugene Gordon and Faye Adams.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Diana Dalrymple of Carnesville; son, Darrin (Christy) Dalrymple of Carnesville; grandchildren, Timothy (Kayla) Dalrymple of Carnesville and Tori (Chris) Fleming of Carnesville; great-grandchildren, Taelyn, Dawson, and Asher; and siblings, Carolyn (Rick) Shiver of Monroe, Cathy (Greg) Halford of Lavonia, and Evelyn Spencer of Toccoa.

Visitation will be held at Ginn Funeral Home on Thursday, October 1, 2026, from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. The family will receive friends again on Friday morning, October 2, 2026, from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m. at Ginn Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 2, 2026, at New Bethel Baptist Church with Pastors Joey Gilbert, Scott Hern, Tommy Childress, and Joey Stewart officiating. Graveside services will follow in the New Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery with fire and law enforcement honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorial donations be made to the New Bethel Baptist Church Emergency Fund in Dykes' honor.