Ernest Dickens

Reidsville- Mr. Ernest Dickens, 89, of 838 NC Highway 65, passed away on Saturday, January 17, 2015, at home after a long illness. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, January 19, 2015, at Roselawn Memorial Gardens with Rev. Brian Aldridge officiating. Ernest was born on November 5, 1925, in Rockingham County to the late Matthew Berkley and Lottie Mae Lillard Dickens. He was a member of College Park Baptist Church since 1955, where he served as a Deacon and an Usher. He was a founding member of the Wentworth Volunteer Fire Department. He retired from American Tobacco Company after more than 40 years of service. He loved golfing, fishing, gardening, swimming and watching NASCAR, old western movies and baseball. Along with his parents, Mr. Dickens was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Johnson and a brother, Matthew Dickens, Jr. Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Thelma Tickle Dickens of the home; his daughter, Bonnie Ruth Dickens of the home; his son, Berkley Ernest Dickens and wife Deborah of Charlotte; his sisters, Frances Goodson of Reidsville and Daisy Johnson of Mayodan; brothers-in-law, David Stewart Tickle and wife Betty, and Kenneth Edward Tickle and wife Kaye; sister-in-law, Treva Tickle Gregg and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to College Park Baptist Church, 2641 Wentworth St., Reidsville, NC 27320. The family will receive friends at 838 NC Highway 65 in Wentworth.