William Edward Dickerson

William Edward Dickerson, age 87 of Brownsville, TN, passed away on Saturday, January 2, 2016. He was born in Brunswick, TN on January 8, 1928 to Robert E. and Josephine P. Dickerson. He was a graduate of Beech Bluff High School and worked for 42 years for South Central Bell Telephone Company in Jackson and Bolivar, TN. He also served in the Tennessee National Guard for 30 years, reaching the level of Sergeant Major.

Having lived in Bolivar, TN for over 50 years, he was very active in community, civic and church life there. He served on the Bolivar City Council for 16 years and also served as the Vice-Mayor. He served as an active deacon in the First Baptist Church of Bolivar and sang in the Sanctuary Choir, as well as being the Department Director for the Adult 5 Sunday School for many years. He was active in the American Heart Association, and served as President of the Rotary Club. He was a Bolivar Band Booster President, and was a long time member of Telephone Pioneers of America. He brought lots of Christmas cheer to the people of Bolivar at Christmastime as Santa Claus for the local bank and the annual Christmas parade. In his retirement years, his life centered around family and friends whom he cherished very much. He loved to play golf as well. He received much joy and pleasure by volunteering with other Telephone Pioneers at Camp Bluebird, which provided a unique 3 day camp experience for adult cancer patients in West TN. In his latter years, Ed and Martha Dickerson moved from Bolivar, TN to Brownsville, TN. He is presently a member of the Brownsville Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Robert E. and Josephine P. Dickerson and one brother: Thomas Earl Dickerson. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Martha Nell Raines Dickerson, Brownsville, TN, his three daughters: Linda Stephenson (George) and Freida Hicks (Elmer) both of Germantown, TN, Jane Simmons (John) Brownsville, TN and one son: Richard Dickerson (Carol) Franklin, TN. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Jennifer Milligan, Elliott Simmons, Russell Dickerson, Claire Dickerson, Stacey Hyde and Walter Stephenson and six great-great children. He also is survived by his sister: Mary Jo Stringer (Hulon), Bolivar, TN and his caregivers: Roxanne Staggs, Latonjo Booker, Michael Bradford, Katherine Johnson, Margie Ware and Harold Reynolds.

Funeral Services will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Monday, January 4, 2016 in the Lea and Simmons Funeral Home in Brownsville, TN with burial to follow in the Brownsville Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 4:00 - 7:00 P.M. on Sunday, January 3, 2016 in the Lea & Simmons Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Camp BlueBird, 620 Skyline Drive, Jackson, TN 38301. For more information contact Lea and Simmons Funeral Home in Brownsville at (731) 772-8880.