Nellie Florence Van Dyke

Nellie Florence “Nell” Van Dyke, formerly of the Oletha community, passed away at Timberwood Nursing and Rehab Center in Livingston on Wednesday, November 27, 2013, at age 88. Vistition will be just prior to the funeral services, which will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Monday, December 2, 2013, at the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel. Brother Richard Williams of the Church of Christ of Groesbeck will officiate and her grandson, Darin Moore will deliver the eulogy. Burial will follow in Hogan Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Darin Moore, James Moore, Carl Siegfried, Jimmy Maddox, Glenn Maddox, and Kirby Hyden. Nell was born May 14, 1925 in Glen Flora, Texas, one of nine children born to James M. Maddox and Florence Smith Maddox. She grew up in Limestone County and attended school in Groesbeck. Nell was united in marriage with Jasper “Jack” Van Dyke, on September 9, 1942, who was in the U.S. Army at the time. While he was serving in World War II she lived with a brother and sister-in-law in Houston, and when he was discharged, they continued to live in Houston where they raised their daughter. After adopting a son, they moved to Limestone County in 1965, where they bought a farm and built a home in the Oletha community. Nell worked at Varo in Mexia for some years, and then worked for several years at the Limestone County Tax office in Groesbeck. She enjoyed being a great homemaker, decorating with her crafts, and especially had a passion for gardening, canning and preserving, and cooking healthy food. Nell enjoyed traveling, and she and Jack made camping trips all over the United States. Nell was a member of the 34th. Street Church in Christ in Houston, and then the Groesbeck and later Old Union Church of Christ. She and Jack volunteered at Camp Sunset at Fort Parker for several years, and she taught Ladies’ Bible Classes. She moved to Coldspring to live with her daughter a few years ago, and more recently to Livingston for nursing care. Nell was preceded in death by her parents; all of her brothers and sisters; their son, Larry Van Dyke; and her husband Jack Van Dyke in 2008. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Donald Moore of Coldspring; granddaughter, Terrye Siegfried and husband Carl of Coldspring; grandson, Darin Moore and wife Maureen of Manasquan, New Jersey; granddaughter, Tori Kristenson and husband Dennis of Round Rock; granddaughter, Tiffany DeLane of Midland; and grandson, Beau Van Dyke and wife Kristen of Temple; and seven great grandchildren. She also leaves behind two sisters-in-law, Veta Maddox of Groesbeck and Cathie Maddox of Wimberly; and two brothers-in-law, Joy Ray Van Dyke and Joann of New Braunfels and J. D. Van Dyke and Martha of Groesbeck; and many nieces and nephews.