The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Joyce Rita Dickerson, 93, passed away peacefully on, March 20, in Orange. Just as Palm Sunday marks Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, we are sure that Joyce triumphantly entered into the Kingdom of God. She knew “the best was yet to come” and was ready.

She was born July 26, 1922, to Tojan and Maria Frederick, who were descendants of families who helped settle Mauriceville. She spent her childhood in Mauriceville and attended Mauriceville School, where she was an excellent student.

Being a tomboy, she loved the outdoors and getting into trouble with her mischievous brothers. Her tales of these times enthralled her grandchildren for hours on end.

Joyce met her husband, Thamar, while attending Mauriceville School. They shared a love of the outdoors and fishing and were married on July 24, 1943. They built a life together in Mauriceville, raising two children, devoted themselves to Mauriceville Baptist Church and spent countless hours fishing together at Toledo Bend.

When Joyce became a grandmother she became “Meme” to her five grandchildren, her great grandchildren and virtually all children she met. She loved children and treated all as if they were her own. She taught her grandchildren how to roast hot dogs over a campfire, cast a fishing line, “crawfish” from a ditch and spin amazing stories.

In her later life Joyce loved learning to paint, growing plants and watching birds, especially hummingbirds. We are blessed to have many of her paintings as part of her lasting legacy to us.

Preceding her in death are her parents; husband, Thamar; brothers, Arnold, Roy and Herman Frederick; sisters, Ruth Christian, Ada Lee Taylor and Erma Murphy.

She is survived by loving children; Jan Dunn and Dan Dunn of Houston, Roy Dickerson of Mauriceville, Allene and Ronny Smith of Buna. Verna Hutto of Mauriceville is her surviving sister. She was Meme to five grandchildren; Dana Dunn Patterson, Joe Dan Dunn, Shawn Dickerson, Dusti Darby and Cody Dickerson. Six great grandchildren also called her Meme; Dustin Dickerson, Chandler Dickerson, Dylan Blakelock, Kennedy Dickerson, Sophia Patterson and Gavin Patterson.

Visitation will be Wednesday, March 23, from 6:00-9:00 pm at Dorman Funeral Home in Orange. The funeral service will be held Thursday, March 24, at 10:00 am at Dorman Funeral Home with the Rev. Clifton Rankin presiding. Burial will follow at Autumn Oaks Memorial Park.

Serving as pallbearers will be, Shawn Dickerson, Cody Dickerson, Joe Dan Dunn, Greg Patterson, Dustin Dickerson and Chandler Dickerson.

The family would like to thank Joanie Williams and the staff of Answered Prayer who took care of Mom with love and respect.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made to Answered Prayer, 602 Azalea Ave, Orange, Texas 77630.

Condolences for the family may be expressed at www.dormanfuneralhome.com.