Jessie D. Dickson

Mr. Jessie Dewitt Dickson, Jr., age 82, of Biloxi, MS, went to be with his Lord and Savior Saturday, April 9, 2011, after a long illness. Jessie was born in Lucedale, MS to J. D. and Mollie Dickson, Sr. He spent 30 years working in food service and loved to cook. He was a hardworking man all his life and enjoyed gardening and fishing as often as possible. He retired from civil service where he obtained the position of Food Service Officer and twice helped win the Hennessey Trophy for the best dining hall in the U. S. Air Force. He also obtained the rank of Senior Chief Master Sergeant in the Air Force Reserve. It is hard to say which career Jessie enjoyed the most, but he liked managing people and any activity that required teamwork. He was not a loner. Jessie was a member of Big Ridge Baptist Church and loved the fellowship of his Sunday School class and the entire congregation. Jessie used to say a wealthy man was someone who had five true friends. By this measure Jessie was abundantly wealthy. The family thanks their friends and the church family for their prayers and visits over the years. The family adds thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff of Keesler AFB Hospital for years of personalized care and the staff of Greenbriar Rehab Center for his recent care. Jessie was a survivor. He survived rebuilding his homes after Hurricane Camille in 1969 and again after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. He survived multiple illnesses with humor, optimism and determination. Rejoice with his family that he has been reunited with his loved ones who preceded him in death and that he is no longer suffering. Jessie was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jack, his sister Marie Brown, and his youngest daughter, Holly Manley. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Grace; his sister, Betty Gean (Ron) Mair of Mobile, AL; his children, Ronda (Junior) Anderson of Pass Christian, Ronnie (Linda) Dickson of Longview, TX, Greg (Belen) Dickson of Biloxi, Audie (Carisa) Dickson of San Antonio, TX, and son-in-law, Perry Manley of Biloxi; five grandchildren, Kristi Cooper of Crandall, TX, Brandy Tucker of Arlington, TX, Shellie Holt of Biloxi, Matthew Dickson of Biloxi, and Adrian Gaucuma of Biloxi; six great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Jessie loved being with his family and his lap dog, Lady. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Big Ridge Baptist Church, Big Ridge Road, D'Iberville, MS 39540 (228-392-4387). Visitation is from 6 until 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 13, 2011, at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue, in Biloxi. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Big Ridge Baptist Church on the corner of Big Ridge Road and Lamey Bridge Road in D'Iberville. A dinner will follow in the fellowship hall of the church.