Erma Gail Wagoner Dickerson

Erma Wagoner Dickerson ("Nanny") of Haralson, GA passed away in the comforts of her home on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. She entered her eternal rest after a remarkable 89 years of life on earth.

Erma was born in Burlington, North Carolina on October 1, 1936 to her parents, Jesse and Ruby Wagoner. Born fifth out of six children, she was the apple of her daddy's eye; a daddy's girl on all accounts.

At only 17 years old, Erma met William Garland Dickerson, Jr. She and his sister, Shirley Anne, were good friends at the time. It was love at first sight and the two were married a short time later in their hometown of Burlington on June 5, 1955. They celebrated 70 grace-filled years together this past summer. Erma and William were blessed with 2 children, 6 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.

Erma lived a quiet life committed to trusting and serving her Lord. She adored being a homemaker and couldn't wait to have children. Even after hers were grown with families of their own, she had a special way with kids and loved spending time with those in her family, her church, her neighborhood, and the ones she watched in her home on a regular basis. Erma's precious, magnetic personality blessed adults and children of all ages. It was not uncommon to find her with a baby on her hip or sitting cross-legged on the floor playing with children among a pile of toys. Erma's inner child-likeness flourished all of her days.

Although petite in stature, Erma's heart was big. She truly delighted in caring for others. Cooking, cleaning, and porch sitting were some of her favorite hobbies and ways to spend her time. She always looked forward to gathering with her family, as well as with those outside of her immediate family she would claim as her own. The last 10 years of her life were spent in a home shared with her husband, daughter, and son-in-law in Haralson, GA. There, you would find her cheering on her Braves, snuggled under her favorite blankets, snapping beans from her daughter's garden, and watching birds who visited her beloved bird feeders. Erma also loved getting her nails painted regularly and listening to her daughter read books aloud each day.

Erma would want to be remembered for the ways God's character is reflected in her own. She trusted Him deeply and loved Him most. She would want it to be known that in God alone her joy was ultimately found, and no one cared for her like Jesus did.

Erma Wagoner Dickerson is preceded in death by her father, Jesse Lee Wagoner; her mother, Ruby Bailey Wagoner; her sisters, Lib (Elizabeth) Cannon, Lou (Mary Louise) Coble, Dot (Dorothy Mae) Hall, Doris Fields; her son-in-law, Stanley Don Smith; her grandson, Terry Hardin; her great grandson, Clay Hardin.

Erma is survived by her husband, Willam Garland Dickerson, Jr; son, Bruce Lee Dickerson (Jennifer); daughter, Sharon Smith Boyd (George III); her younger brother, Jay Lee Wagoner; grandchildren, Shannon Smith Hardin, Meagan Ruth Dickerson (Kevin), George Rellie Boyd IV (Rachel), Davis Riley Dickerson (Yancey), William Roland Dickerson, and Lee Ryland Dickerson; great grandchildren, Mitchell Wayne Lewis, McKenzie Smith (Ross), Nolan Dorsey Dickerson, Cooper Rellie Dickerson, Chaz Hardin and Dodge Randall Dickerson (due in February, 2026).

A funeral service to honor Erma's life will be held on December 14, 2025, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon at the Chapel of Parrott Funeral Home. Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation one hour prior to the service.

Erma Gail Wagoner Dickerson will be laid to rest immediately following the service at Holly Hills Memorial Cemetery in Fairburn, GA.