La Rue Cooke Dyess

La Rue Cooke Dyess went to be with the Lord on February 28, 2025, in Waxahachie, TX. She was born to Benjamin Franklin Cooke and Una Slocum Cooke on September 28, 1934, in Ennis, TX. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband Samuel “Red” Philip Dyess. 

La Rue is survived by her daughter, Terri Gail Ousley and her husband Tim, of San Antonio, TX; daughter, Dana Dyess Stanton; four grandchildren: Vinson Ousley (Brandi), Amber Tuley (Justin), Jerrod Ousley (Melissa), and Kristen Watson; ten great-grandchildren: Bailey, Mason, Everleigh, Riley, Sadie, Simeon, Silas, Sam, Emery, and Maddie; brother, Wendell Cooke (Marva); sister-in-law, Evelyn Cooke, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

La Rue was preceded in death by her father, Benjamin Franklin Cooke; her mother, Una Slocum Cooke; her husband, Samuel Philip Dyess, and ten brothers and sisters: Ralph and wife Juanita; Fred and wife Anna; Phama and husband Lloyd; Frankie and husband Lemuel; Betty and husband Sonny; Mary and husband Donald; Billy; Hollis and wife Beatrice; Geneiva and husband Wesley; Ina Mae and husband Wesley.

She graduated from Ennis High School in 1953. Her early work life included being a bank teller for Citizens National Bank. She spent most of her working life, 28 years, as Deputy Clerk for the Ellis County Tax Collector. In her later years, she worked at Trinity Abstract & Title.

La Rue married Samuel Philip Dyess on June 3, 1955. They were lovingly committed to each other in marriage for 62 years.

La Rue lived a full life filled with the Spirit of Christ. She was a long-time member of the Brown Street (formerly College Street) Church of Christ of Waxahachie.

Throughout her entire life, La Rue was a woman with a servant’s heart. If there was a need, she gladly filled it. She loved spending time with her children and their families and will be greatly missed by all.

Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, March 6, 2025, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Wayne Boze Funeral Home in Waxahachie. A Celebration of Life will follow on Friday, March 7, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Brown Street Church of Christ. Upon conclusion of services, interment will follow at Hillcrest Park Cemetery under the direction of Wayne Boze Funeral Home. Donations can be made in her honor to the Brown Street Church of Christ.