Velma E. Dickerson

Velma E. Dickerson, 62, of Jonesboro, and formerly of Edwardsville, died at 4:55 a.m. Tuesday, May 12, 2009, at her home.

Mrs. Dickerson was born in Alexander County on Jan. 14, 1947, the daughter of Marion Stevens and Alberta Johnson Stevens.

Mrs. Dickerson was a member of the First Baptist Church in Edwardsville. She was a retired cook for Edwardsville School District No. 7. She was a resident of Edwardsville for 43 years before moving to Jonesboro.

She married Mearl Dickerson on May 1, 1964, in Elco. He preceded her in death on Aug. 2, 1997.

She was preceded in death by brothers Kenny and Billy Stevens; a half brother, Jim Rhymer; and sisters Minnie Smith and Linda Price.

Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Beth and Kevin Hileman of Jonesboro and Lisa and Mark Jorden of South Roxana; three grandchildren; special friends Cathy and Andy Smoraty of Worden; four brothers, Wesley Rhymer of Dongola, Aaron Stevens of Rock Falls, Charlie Johnson of Chicago and Marion Stevens of Olive Branch; five sisters, Mary Williams of Vienna, Irma Storey of Metropolis, Barbara Foster of Goreville, Alberta Stevens of Park Ridge and Patricia Warner of Sherwood, Ark.; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Velma E. Dickerson will be at 11 a.m. Friday, May 15, at Jones Funeral Home in Tamms with the Rev. Everett Owens and the Rev. Barbara Owens officiating. Interment will follow in the Cummins Cemetery in rural McClure.

Friends may call Thursday, today, between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Jones Funeral Home in Tamms.

Jones Funeral Home in Tamms is in charge of arrangements.