Ronald Eugene Dickerson , 82, of Joaquin, passed away Wednesday, March 1, 2023, in Center.

Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 4, 2023, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.  Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 4, 2023, at Watson & Sons Chapel with Bro. Joe Walker officiating.  Interment will follow at Johnson Cemetery in Shelby County.

Ronald Eugene "Gene" Dickerson was born on the family farm in Fellowship Community on April 20, 1940 to Ray Sr. & Era Dell Dickerson. Gene graduated from Joaquin High School. Gene was saved as a teen and baptized in the pond behind his home. He took his saviors hand on March 1, 2023 and entered glory.

Thankfully, with the devoted help of his sister-in-law, Teresa Dickerson, he was able to live out his life independently at home, the place he loved best, until he was diagnosed with metastasized merkle cell cancer, a rare, fast growing skin cancer. Gene worked various jobs to support his family, from factory to oil drilling. He enjoyed driving a big rig for many years across the US for Hugh Daw Trucking. He retired from Joaquin Independent School District in 2005 as elementary school custodian after 12 years of dedicated service.

He is survived by his grandson, Randall Eugene Maynard and wife Candace; married-in children, Donna Woodard and husband Stanley Orbik, Cindy and husband David Hughes, John David and wife Gina Woodard; grandchildren, James Eaves and wife Robyn, Joseph Hughes and wife Brandi, Christina and husband Tyler Primm; eight great grandchildren; brothers, Kenneth Dickerson and wife Loyce, Mike Dickerson and wife Barbara; sisters, Kay and husband Lonnie Glaze, Carolyn Ewing; brother-in-law, Sam Owens; sisters-in-law, Joan Dickerson, Teresa Dickerson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 37 years, Catherine Byrd Dickerson; daughters, Belinda Sue (infant) and Mary Elizabeth Patterson; his parents, Ray Sr. and Era Dell Dickerson; brothers, Ray Jr. Dickerson and wife Rita, Jacky Dickerson, James Dickerson; sisters, Virginia and husband Raymond Biehle, Nelwyn Owens; grandson, Tommy Hughes; and brother-in-law, Pat Ewing.

Pallbearers will be John David Woodard, James Eaves, Joseph Hughes, Steven Ewing, Paul Brooks, and Gordon Vaughn.

Honorary pallbearers will be his nephews and great nephews.

Gene was a member of Logansport Missionary Baptist. He loved his church family. The family would like to thank the love and care of Bro. Joe & Sheila Walker, and Becky Brooks; the ladies of Ram House & Ram House Too; the nurses & techs of Pine Grove and Affinity Hospice.

Memorial donations can be made to Logansport Missionary Baptist Church, P.O. Box 10 Logansport, LA 71049, or Johnson Cemetery, 3016 FM 2787 Joaquin, TX 75954.