Thelma Ann Saunders Dickens

Thelma Ann Saunders Dickens, 88, of Gaston died on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at her home with her family by her side.
She was the daughter of the late Nimrod Herring Saunders and Eloise Knighton Saunders. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Allen Augustus Dickens their two sons, Steven W. Dickens, Kenneth A. Dickens, a grandson, Justin
Leemhuis, son-in-law Mason Clements, and her special canine, Dolche.
She was a lifelong member of Spring United Methodist Church in Skippers, Virginia.
She is survived by her daughters, Deborah "Debbie" Ricks and her husband, Earl of Roanoke Rapids and Donna D. Clements of Raleigh; twelve grandchildren, Greg Ricks and his wife, Mary Hunter, Brian Ricks and his wife, Nikki, Sarah Ricks Harris and her husband, Stevie, Lewis Dickens and his wife, Missy, Stephanie Dickens Dunlow and her husband, Timothy, Phillip Dickens and his wife, Heather, John Allen Dickens, Brad Dickens, Travis Dickens and his wife, Czarina, Lauren Ashley Dickens Kayani and her husband, Kariam, Chelsea Little and her husband, Bryan. She also left behind nineteen great grandchildren to cherish her memory, Jake, Caroline, Benjamin, Taylor, Addison, Dylan, Garrett, Talan, Amelia, Claire, Haley, Holden, Cassidy, Tyler, Kayla, Sophia, Mia, Levi, and Brooks; daughter-in-law Beth W. Dickens of Pittsboro, cousin Barbara Allen of Glen Allen, VA and sister-in-law, Millie Dickens of Nashville; sister-in-law, Hazel "Sister" Hasty of Roanoke Rapids, and many nieces and nephews, including Barbara Sue Owens.
The family would also like to recognize Liberty Home Health and Hospice and thank her caregivers; Maria, Wanda, Leanne, Louise, Marcia, and Sandra.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. in the chapel of Askew Funeral and Cremation services in Roanoke Rapids with Rev. Bob Clyde and Minister Daniel West officiating.
Interment will follow in Crestview Memorial Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Monday from 7:00-8:30 PM at the funeral home.