David Dickerson
GREENVILLE — David Dickerson, 78, of Greenville, peacefully passed away Thursday, July 16, 2020, in Greenville. He was surrounded by his family. Born in Clarksdale on Jan. 3, 1942, he returned to Greenville with his parents, Samuel David Dickerson and Freddie Williams Dickerson. David and his three sisters grew up on Old Leland Road, and he graduated from Greenville High School in 1960. Attending Mississippi State University, David graduated with a BS in history in 1964. After teaching on the Mississippi gulf coast for one year, he returned to Greenville and taught at Solomon Junior High School for 11 years. In 1966, he met and married Lynda Watson, and they celebrated 54 years of marriage. The pride of his life were his two daughters, Myna and Erin.
David’s career included 10 years at Production Credit Associating and nearly 20 years with Merchant’s Food Service. After his first retirement, he returned to teaching at Western Line School District for nine and half years.
David played fast pitch softball in the Greenville League for Pepsi Cola team for over 10 years and was ultimately inducted into the league’s Hall of Fame. Cheering on the Mississippi State Bulldogs and gardening were his passions. He produced some of the largest tomatoes in his neighborhood, and the fruits of his labor were shared with any visitor who came by. When he was not in the garden working, he had a favorite cat in his lap. When David finally retired, he enjoyed meeting his friends and classmates daily for coffee.
The ultimate joy and center of his life were his family. Nothing made him happier than being with his grandchildren during holidays, at their plays or ballgame, or just playing games.
David was preceded in death by his parents; and oldest sister, Doris Dickerson Mooney.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Lynda; daughter, Myna, and husband John Sowell, of Spring Hill, Tennessee; daughter, Erin and husband, Todd Purcell, of Germantown, Tennessee; his grandchildren, Ann Morgan Sowell, Alena Read Sowell, Frank Montague Purcell, and Watson Edward Purcell. He is also survived by two sisters, Sammie Dickerson Ballard and Patty Dickerson Smith, and a host of nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
Arrangements are being handled by Mortimer Funeral Home in Greenville.
A memorial service is to be held at a later date at First United Methodist Church.
David always supported the Mississippi Kidney Foundation, Mississippi State University, and First United Methodist Church, and his family hopes friends will remember him with donations to these institutions.
An online register book can be signed and condolences for the family can be expressed at mortimerfh.com.
