Kerns Dickson

Kerns Ann Dickson
November 1, 1926 - October 24, 2010

Kerns Ann Dickson, 83, of Waco, Texas, passed away Sunday, October 24, 2010 at an area hospital.

Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at Central Christian Church, 4901 Lake Shore Drive, Waco, Texas, with Rev. Richard Roland and Dr. Tommy Potter officiating. Burial will follow at Harris Creek Cemetery.

Visitation with the family will be at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Boulevard, Waco, Texas, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 26, 2010.

Born on November 1, 1926, to Percy Willis and Lois McKethan Laine, Ann was named for Dr. John W. Kerns, minister of Central Christian Church.

She joined Central Christian Church at the age of nine, and was a member until the time of her death. Ann was also a member of the church board, served as a deaconess and a teacher of adult and children's classes.

Ann graduated in the Class of 1942 from Waco High School at the age of fifteen years, being the youngest in her class. She immediately entered Baylor University and ultimately received her Bachelor of Arts and a Masters Degree in Education. She began her teaching career upon graduation, and taught in the La Vega Independent School District for several years.

On August 20, 1949, she and James R Dickson, Jr. were married at Central Christian Church in Waco, Texas. They were married for 32 years until his death on October 26, 1981. To this union, five children were born, one daughter and four sons.

Ann and her husband were the owners of Central Texas Savings and Loan Association. At the time of her husband's death, she was appointed interim Chairman of the Board and had served as a board member for over 15 years.

In past years, Ann served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Democratic Women of Central Texas, and as an officer with the Waco Council of United Church Women.

Ann took a great interest in restoring the Harris Creek Cemetery grounds, where many of her ancestors are buried. She served for 25 years as Secretary-Treasurer of the Harris Creek Cemetery Association. During these 25 years, she was instrumental in initiating plans for improvements and beautification of the cemetery grounds.

Her greatest loves in life on earth were her husband, children, grandchildren and parents. She had the gift of making each child feel as though they were her favorite - when in essence, they were all the same.

Ann is survived by a daughter, Jean Mark, and husband, Dr. Steve Mark, of Waco, a son, David Dickson, and wife, Jeannie, of Waco, a son, Tom Dickson, and wife Lori, of South Bosque, a son, John Dickson, and wife, Gina, of South Bosque, and James R Dickson III, and wife, Dara, of Nashville, Tennessee.

She is also survived by eleven grandchildren, Austin Dickson of Atlanta, Georgia, Annalisa Peppard and husband, Wilson of Fort Worth, Texas, Daniel, Elizabeth and Alex Mark of Waco, Jessica and James Dickson, and Jake and Emily Dickson all of South Bosque, and Warner and Laine Dickson of Nashville, Tennessee. Ann is also survived by her special friends, Brenda Scott, Pauline Olvera, Lucille Lewis and IsaDell Gordon.

Pallbearers will be grandsons, Austin Dickson, Daniel Mark, Jake Dickson, Alex Mark, James R. Dickson, and Wilson Peppard and Mike Jansing.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Bob Beard, Bramlett Beard, Joe Beard, Mike Beard, Ambassador Lyndon Olson Jr., Charles Olson, John Jansing, Roger Meek, Grady Fulbright, Paul (Smiley) Smajstrla, and Dr. Ronald Rapoport.

The family would like to thank Dr. Gary Barbin and the nurses of 4 North at Providence Hospital for their care.

Memorials may be made to Central Christian Church, 4901 Lake Shore Drive, Waco, Texas 76710 or to Harris Creek Cemetery, 1137 Church Street, McGregor, Texas 76657.

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