Rosemary Johnson Dyke

ROSEMARY JOHNSON DYKE (MRS. JOHN BENTON "TONY" DYKE), of Little Rock, passed away, surrounded with her loved ones on March 20, 2015. Rosemary was the daughter of Rose Camille and Charles Roland Johnson of Hartman, Ark. and was predeceased by her husband, Tony Dyke, after 49 years of marriage. She is survived by her son, John Benton "J" Dyke Jr. and his life partner, Garry Mertins and her daughter, Allison Dyke Pickell and her husband, Slocum Pickell and their two children, Ashton and Alexandra. Her constant rise to the top of everything she did started in high school when she was State Secretary of F.H.A. and Salutatorian of the Hartman High School Class of 1952. "Rose", as Tony called her, blossomed further in college at the University of Arkansas as a member of Pi Beta Phi eventually becoming the president that signed the documents for the move to the new house on Maple street. She married John Benton "Tony" Dyke out of college and moved a number of places short term before settling in Tulsa where she and Tony adopted John Benton "J." Dyke Jr. While there, she was a member of the Junior League, Children's Day Nursery, and president of the Junior Alumni of Pi Beta Phi. In 1965, the couple moved to Little Rock where their daughter, Allison Dyke Pickell, was adopted. In Little Rock, she was active in many organizations. She was a member of the Junior League, becoming chairman of the Bargain Barn store, provisionals trainer, and a member of the placement committee. As a member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, she was chairman of the church Bazar, the woman's group, a member of the vestry, alter guild, and flower guild. She was very active with the Arkansas Arts Center, eventually becoming a board member and a co-chairman of Tabriz. She was on the board of Easter Seals, Red Cross, the Alumni Foundation of the University of Arkansas, and CARTI. Later she became interested in miniatures and became a craftsman of plants for the miniature world. She became national secretary of the N.A.M.E., the National Association of Miniature Enthusiasts, and was selected a fellow of the International Guild of Miniature Artisans. Seeing a need for stylish large size clothing, she and Cynthia Mason opened Plumpretty dress shop which was successfully operated for 15 years. After the death of her beloved Tony, she became interested again in bridge and earned her life master certification quickly. The family requests no flowers be sent but knows she would be pleased for any donations in her honor to be made to Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, and Potluck Food Rescue. Like the popular song of of the 70's, we knew "love grows where my Rosemary goes". She will be sorely missed. Funeral services will be held at Trinity Cathedral on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at 10 a.m. followed by burial at Mount Holly Cemetery. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.