Maxine I. “Sis” Dickerson

Maxine I. “Sis” Dickerson, 92, Palmyra, Mo., passed away at 8:05 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, at Maple Lawn Nursing Home in Palmyra.

Sis was born Jan. 11, 1930, in LaGrange, Mo., to Benjamin Forrest and Lola Dorothy (Shannon) Fessenden.  She was married to Francis Edgar “Ed” Dickerson on March 8, 1949 in Palmyra. He preceded her in death on Dec. 18, 2016.

Survivors include her son, Ben Dickerson (Kim Barry), Hannibal, Mo.; brothers, Ray Fessenden (Corrine), Palmyra; and Donnie Fessenden (Judy), Palmyra; sister, Helen Kroeger, Palmyra; brother-in-law, Billy Goodwin;  numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ed Dickerson; brothers, sisters and their spouses Forrest Fessenden (Opal), Earl “Buck” Fessenden (Claudell), Leon “Lee” Fessenden (Lavada), Mary Jarman (Ray), infant sister, Bonnie Fessenden; Waunetia “Nita” Goodwin; and brother-in-law, Ralph Kroeger.

Sis grew up in the Palmyra area, attending the one room Shannon School house in Taylor, Mo. and graduating from Bay Island district in Marion County, Mo. 

During her teen years she worked at both Temple Stevens as a grocery clerk and then at Crown Shoe Factory for a bit before her marriage in 1949. 

Growing up in a large family of 10 children, she was vastly prepared for the role of wife and mother, relishing the time she spent with her husband and son. 

Her son, Ben, has many fond memories of the trips the family would take each year. Sis and Ed would load up the car and take off, wandering the states, Canada and Mexico, often only coming back when “half” the money was gone! 

Not many people could enjoy getting out and mowing the yard like Sis. She mowed two to three times a week whether it was needed or not, at peace with the sounds and sights in her yard. 

She enjoyed the occasional word search, collecting rocks from her travels, or a little light reading from time to time. But if it was focus she was looking for, she would pull out one of her many cross-stitch patterns and start working.

A funeral ceremony will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 23, at the Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra. Pastor Scott Hawes will officiate. Burial will follow the at Greenwood Cemetery in Palmyra.

Pallbearers will be Michael Fessenden, Howard Kroeger, David Kroeger, Alan Kroeger, Steve Fessenden, Mark Goodwin and Jeff Goodwin.

Honorary pallbearers will be Danny Fessenden and all nieces and nephews.

Friends and family are invited to Maxine’s life celebration at a visitation that will be held Aug. 23, from 9 to 10 a.m. at Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel.

Memorials may be made to Maple Lawn Activity Fund.

Online condolences may be shared and video tribute may be viewed at www.lewisbrothersfuneralchapel.com.