Obituary of Martha Nell Raines Dickerson

Martha Nell Raines Dickerson, age 92, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 10, 2020, at her residence in Brownsville, TN. Funeral Services will be conducted on Monday, September 14, 2020, at 1:00 PM at the Lea and Simmons Funeral Home in Brownsville, TN with Rev. Sam Stallings and Richard Dickerson officiating. Burial will follow at the Brownsville Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be on Sunday, September 13, 2020, from 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM at the Lea and Simmons Funeral Home in Brownsville, TN. Martha Nell was born in Jackson, TN to Arvie and Freida Staples Raines. Her father passed away when she was just a child. She was raised in the Beech Bluff Community in Madison County and graduated from Beech Bluff High School. On November 28,1946, she married William Edward Dickerson and they celebrated 69 years of marriage. They moved to Bolivar, TN in 1955, and remained residents there until 2001. For the majority of her life, she was a homemaker. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She found great pleasure in attending the events of her children and grandchildren through the years. Whether it was a church event, dance recital, piano recital, band competitions, concerts, baseball games, sporting events, etc. she was there to show her love and support. Holiday seasons were especially enjoyable to her when she would entertain family and friends in her home. She came to faith at an early age, and through the years was a member of the First Baptist Church, Bolivar, TN, and Brownsville Baptist Church in Brownsville, TN. She is survived by four children, Linda Stephenson (George) of Germantown, TN, Freida Hicks (Elmer) of Brownsville, TN, Jane Simmons (John) of Brownsville, TN, and Richard Dickerson (Carol) of Franklin, TN; one sister, Louise Stanford (Gordon) of Jackson, TN. She leaves a legacy of love for her six grandchildren, Jennifer Milligan (Wayne), Elliott Simmons (Lisa), Russell Dickerson (Kailey), Claire Dickerson, Stacey Hyde (Robert), and Walt Stephenson (Misty); nine great-grandchildren, Katie Milligan, Bryse Carlton, Brenna Carlton, Kayce Hyde, Sam Hyde, Ashley Stephenson, Abby Stephenson, Bella Stephenson, and Remington Dickerson. She also leaves numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins whom she loved dearly. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Edward Dickerson; her father, Arvie Raines; her mother and stepfather, Freida Staples Raines Crowder and Elmer Crowder, and two brothers, Leon Raines and Thomas Raines. Honorary Pallbearers for the service are the ladies who were her dearest friends in life, Adrienne Lindsey, Louise Stallings, Anneva Tisdale, Bess Siler, Kitty Coplin and Betty Coplin, Jean Greene (deceased) and Bernice Maxwell Shackelford (deceased). Pallbearers will be grandsons and her sons-in-law. The family expresses great appreciation to Avalon Hospice Care and to her caregivers, Pearl Taylor, Kathaleen Johnson, and Erma Campbell for their incredible love and care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Avalon Hospice, 1024 Greystone, Jackson, TN 38305, or Union Grove United Methodist Church, c/o Carrie McCage, 2305 Key Corner Rd, Brownsville, TN 38012. All arrangements and services are under the direction of the Lea & Simmons Funeral Home in Brownsville, TN.