Obituaries

Patricia Ann Dickinson

Patricia Ann Morris Dickinson, 70, of Lonoke, passed onward Friday, March 28, 2014. Life's journey for Pat began on December 12, 1943, when she was born the second of four children to parents Henry and Mayme McCrary Morris of Lonoke, Arkansas. She was baptized in the First Presbyterian Church of Lonoke; the church where her ancestors began worshipping in the 1860's and where she became a life-long member. Pat attended all twelve grades in Lonoke Schools, beginning in 1949 and graduating in 1961. During those years she developed many close friendships which she kept for life. She loved the Class of '61 and throughout the next 50 years continued to keep in touch with her classmates and promote class reunions. She was actively involved in her high school as a member of the Senior Girls' Basketball Team, Drill Team, Homecoming Court, and was selected to attend Arkansas Girls State. After high school, Pat continued her studies at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and Arkansas Tech at Russellville. In 1965, Pat was married to Christopher Ray Dickinson in the Lonoke Presbyterian Church. Their marriage continued for 33 years until his death in 1998. Two children were born of their union; a daughter, Christy and son, Jeff. Ray's profession as a mechanical engineer located them in several different cities, including Milan, Italy for two years, where they travelled as a family all over Western Europe. They also lived in several cities in the Dallas, Texas area, including Richardson, Garland, Plano and McKinney. In Plano, Pat and Ray opened the Downtown Car Wash and were members of Los Rios Country Club, and Eldorado Country Club in McKinney, where they made many friends and enjoyed playing tennis and golf. Eventually, when the children were grown, they returned home to Lonoke. Pat immediately became involved in the community and church that she had grown up in and loved so much. She was elected an Elder in her church, served as Director to the Lonoke Chamber of Commerce and was instrumental in organizing Family Resource Services, Inc. (Lonoke Food Pantry), which provides food for many hungry families in the Lonoke area. These are just a few examples of Pat's caring, giving heart. She never met a person in need that she didn't try to help or encourage. Caring for and helping others was the whole essence of Pat's purpose on this earth. She is survived by her mother Mayme McCrary Morris and sister Linda Jo Morris Henderson, both of Lonoke, daughter Dana Christine Dickinson-Langhammer of Little Rock, and son Jeffrey Morris Dickinson of Beebe; four precious grandchildren, Logan Langhammer and Haley, Brayden and July Dickinson. She also leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends. Pat was preceded in death by her husband, Ray, father William Henry Morris, two brothers, Bill and Jimmy Don Morris, son-in-law, Chuk Langhammer, and brother-in-law, Edward Henderson. A memorial service honoring Pat will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Lonoke at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 12th. A reception will follow in the education building behind the church. www.arkansasfuneralcare.com.

Published April 8, 2014

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