Joe Dickens

Adoringly known as Joe, his journey began on July 3rd, 1948 in Dermott, Arkansas where he was born to the late James and Berniece Dickens. He was the 9th of 16 children which include Beatrice Jackson, Doris Mc Cohn, James Dickens, Celia Turner, John Dickens, Arthur Dickens (Olivia), Sam Dickens, Julia Maxine Carter, Larry Dickens, Rosalyn Dickens-Moore, Claude Dickens, Benjamin Dickens, Paulette Taylor, Beverly Frazier, and Angee Butcher.

He attended school in Arkansas, where he completed his high school education. In 1968, at the age of 20 he was drafted into the Army where he was sent to Vietnam, he served as a Private First Class. After being honorably discharged from the military in 1970, he relocated to Mt. Vernon, NY. There he began the next chapter of his life where began to grow his own family starting with Joseph Dickens affectionately known as “Joe-Joe” (1972). He then began a courtship with his wife Nancy Dickens, affectionately nicknamed “The Warden” and created 3 children, Yvette Monique affectionately known as “Fatso” (1973), Joey Lamont affectionately called “Son” (1974) and Lanaya Latrice affectionately known as “Nay-bone” (1977). Joe’s family has continued to grow to include 11 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, James and Berniece Dickens, his siblings, Beatrice Jackson, Doris McCohn, James Dickens, Julia Maxine Carter, Larry Dickens, Claude Dickens, Benjamin Dickens, and Beverly Frazier.

He worked in maintenance at Westchester Towers for over 30 years and retired in 2013. Joe was a very hard-worker and felt strongly about providing a richer life for his family so much that he also worked several part-time jobs. He enjoyed playing basketball in his youthful years. He was a stickler for cleanliness and organization. He enjoyed playing the lotto and watching televised sports programs. He delighted in cooking butter beans with okra and drinking a cold “brewsky”. He relocated to Dothan, Alabama where he was able to purchase his own home and enjoy a slower paced lifestyle. He enjoyed growing tomatoes and spending time in the backyard to pray, relax, and nature watch.

Robert and Toni Byrd · Sunset Memorial Park

1700 Barrington Rd, Midland City AL · (334) 983-6604