John Watson Dickey

John Watson Dickey (August 2, 1940 - August 5, 2022) was born in Hillsborough, NC to Joseph Ira Dickey and Mallie Sue Watson Dickey. After Mallie Sue died in childbirth, Joe Dickey remarried, and John was raised along with five other siblings by Pauline Cameron Dickey. John graduated from Chowan College, married his high school sweetheart, Mary Lou Jarrett, and joined the U.S. Army. He was stationed for a little more than a year in Germany, and when he returned to the US, he moved to Thomasville, NC. He worked for Thomasville Furniture Industries for 48 years till his retirement in 2002. His work ethic was unequaled.

John was a faithful member of Carolina Memorial Baptist Church for 58 years. He sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, served as a deacon, and until his recent decline, you could have counted the number of Sundays he missed on one hand.

He enjoyed sports -- football, softball, and volleyball -- and he was a life-long fan of Tarheel football and basketball. His hobbies included fine woodworking, and he was known for making some of the best pies and homemade ice cream in Davidson County.

John will be remembered for a calm, quiet strength and steadiness that often made his sharp wit and wry sense of humor all the more surprising. He was utterly reliable; he loved helping people; and he was indiscriminately generous, caring and kind.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years: Mary Lou Dickey: two daughters: Kimberly Ann Strong and Joy Lynn Martin; two sons-in-law, John Strong and Demetrius Martin: four grandchildren: Alexander Jarett Martin, Demetrius Robin Martin, Jaime Diego Martin, and Benjamin Springfield Strong; and three siblings: Joseph Dickey, William Dickey, and Faye Burgner.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, August 28 at Carolina Memorial Baptist Church in Thomasville, NC with a time for visitation from 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. and a service from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Donations to the church's AV Fund would be appreciated in lieu of flowers. Checks should be made to Carolina Memorial Baptist Church with a designation for the AV fund in honor of John Dickey.

Nicholson Funerals & Cremations, Thomasville Chapel has the honor of serving the family. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonadvantage.com