A celebration of life for Nancy D. Dickens, 69, of Jacksonville, will be held on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at 1:00pm at Anniston Full Gospel Holy Temple, with Pastor Christopher D. Carr, Sr., officiating. A public viewing will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2024, from 3pm-7pm at the funeral home. Professional services entrusted to S.M. Goodson Funeral Home-Anniston. Nancy Diane Dickens, a loving wife, mother and grandmother, was born on October 2, 1955, in Ashville, Alabama. She was the cherished daughter of Willie Teague and Henry Netter Teague. At an early age, Nancy committed her life to Christ while attending Overcoming Church of Christ in Ashville, Alabama. She was very active in her church. As a youth, not only did she sing in the choir, but she also directed the choir. Her unwavering faith led her to join Mount Olive Baptist Church in 1987 where she served faithfully on the usher board. Allowing God to lead her, she later united with Gaines Chapel AME Church where she served as president of the usher board, president of the Women's Missionary Society, youth department seamstress, and as a steward. In 2022, she visited Anniston Full Gospel Holy Temple which reminded her of her home church in Ashville. She fell in love with Full Gospel, and they fell in love with her. She stood firm in her beliefs, never shying away from the call to praise the Lord, who she credited for her many blessings. Nancy graduated from Ashville High School as a proud member of the class of 1974. While in high school, she played basketball and ran track. Her favorite subject in school was history. A fervent lover of Black History, she took pride in her heritage and made it a mission to educate those around her about the richness of her culture. Nancy continued her education by attending the Medical and Dental Assistant School in Atlanta. She found gainful employment with Army Noble Hospital and earned the title of Director of Environmental Services. Later she embarked on a career with Alabama Power and then the City of Jacksonville, where she retired in 2018. As Nancy traveled life's journey, she met the love of her life, R. Joe Dickens. On November 22, 2007, Thanksgiving Day, Joe and Nancy were united in Holy matrimony by Rev. O. Jerome Green. Nancy portrayed her unique and classy style of fashion by constantly modeling for her personal photographer, Joe Dickens. Together they shared 17 years of wedded bliss. They enjoyed traveling together as Nancy "side seat" drove and slept from the passenger seat. Two of the happiest days of their lives were the day their first grandson was born and the day they said, "I do." Nancy Diane Dickens had a leak in her old building. But on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, she bid farewell to her family and friends and moved to a building not made by man's hands, receiving a complete healing. She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie and Henry Netter Teague, grandmothers, Lillie Bell Vaughn and Eliza Irby, siblings, Willa Bell Buyers, Henry Teague, Louise Teague, and granddaughter, Rayna Joy Dickens. Her memories will forever be cherished by her devoted husband, R. Joe Dickens; children, Quincy (Tangela) Pickett, Marquessa Pickett, Shanell Dickens, Raymond Dickens, II, Dominique Dickens, James Boyce, Travis Buchanan, and Teon Knox; grandchildren, Shanecia, Morgan, Alexandria, Jasmine, Raymond III, Jaylen, Kyra, and Makayla; sisters, Dorothy Hill and Edna (Jerry) Williams; and a host of other family members and friends. As we gather to celebrate Nancy's life and legacy and to honor her spirit, let us find comfort in knowing that her soul has found peace in the loving embrace of our Lord and Savior. S.M. Goodson Funeral Home & Crematory 830 Noble Street Anniston, AL Sheffton M. Goodson 256-237-9771
www.smgoodson.comPublished by The Anniston Star on Dec. 13, 2024.