The matriarch of our family, Verna Dickerson of Greencastle, heeded the call to “Come unto me …. and I will give you rest” on August 3, 2026, only four days prior to her 94th birthday. While we are saddened by our loss we know she is joyful. Verna was born August 7, 1932, in Dierks, Howard County, Arkansas to Carl Lee Jones and Lena Mae (Crisp) Jones.
At age 19, Verna decided to spend a summer working at a northern Indiana business and then decided to remain living there. After a short time, she met Carl Franklin “Frank” Dickerson, Jr., when he was home on military leave and after several months they were married in De Queen, Arkansas and became parents to five daughters. When Frank fulfilled his military contract, they settled in Indianapolis, moved to Coatesville, and then to Stilesville for 40 Years until Frank passed away after 58 years of marriage.
Verna was preceded in death by her husband, daughter Edythe Collier, grandsons William Franklin “Bill” Collier and Jake Allen Collier, sisters Essie Olean (Ed) Klein, Christine (Paul) Hakes, Naomi Mae (Richard) Tippin, brothers Mac Duff Jones, Carl Algie (Margie) Jones and sons-in-law Walt Wagner, Albert Day, Jr., sisters-in-law Bonnie Jones (Raymond), Margie Jones (Algie), and brothers-in-law James Young (Jean) and Richard Tippin (Naomi).
Those left to share their memories of Verna are her daughters, Mellissa (Ron) Collier, Karen (Walt) Wagner, Linda (Albert, Jr.) Day, and Gail (Ron) Clay, a son-in-law, Ray Collier (Edythe) and her siblings Raymond E. Jones of Mineral Springs, Arkansas, and Mamie Jean Young of Yakima, Washington. Grandchildren: Becky Collier, Jodi Collier, Ron Collier II, and Julie Sandeen, Allen Collier, Laura Honey, Jessica Wagner, Joshua Wagner, Joseph Wagner, Jacob Wagner, and Johnathan Day. Great grandchildren: Rachel Casteel, Ryan Pinegar, Anaya Keith, Aliza Smith, Kennedy Sandeen, Wyatt Sandeen, Tiara Reynolds, Katelyn Provines, Emily Stickels, Andrew Collier, and Victoria Blythe, Josephine Wagner, Keaton Wagner, Aiden Wagner, Raylan Wagner and one on the way. Great, great grandchildren: (Rachel)–Carlee, Grayson, Sawyer and Everly. (Aliza)–Archer and one on the way. (Tiara)–Priscilla and Benjamin “Hank.” (Katelyn)–Evelyn Joy. (Victoria)–Naomi and Eli.
She also leaves behind many wonderful nieces and nephews and their families. When you see ‘Pink Lady’ surprise lillies take a moment to remember Verna as they are usually blooming the week of her birthday.
Per her wishes, Verna will be cremated and will have a private burial. A celebration of her life is planned for a later time.