Mary F. Dickerson Hitchins

Services will be held on Wednesday, January 25 at 11 a.m. from St. Paul's Catholic Church, Flowood, MS. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 24 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at St. Paul's and Wednesday beginning at 10 a.m. A private family interment will be held later at Lakewood Memorial Park.

Born in Itta Bena, Mississippi to Walter and Janell Dickerson, Mary was raised in Greenwood, where she graduated from Greenwood High School and more importantly, met the love of her life, Bob, during his Navy days of World War II. They married in 1946, and moved to Jackson in 1953, where they raised six children.

After the youngest started kindergarten, Mary decided to re-enter the work force, working for the State of Mississippi's Welfare Department in their financial division. She later served as Administrative Assistant to both City Commissioners Doug Shanks and Nielsen Cochran. She continued to work for Nielsen when he later served as Public Service Commissioner.

In her retirement years, she and Bob enjoyed travels and spending time with their children and grandchildren. She was an avid bridge player, attended many plays at New Stage, loved to read and spend time in her yard. She was a member of Executive Women's International (EWI).

Mary was a charter member of St. Therese Catholic Church, and after moving to Flowood, became a devout communicant of St. Paul's Catholic Church.

Since her husband was involved in volunteer coaching throughout his life, Mary was his "wingman". In her station wagon, she drove many a child, including her own, to basketball and football games, swimming meets, etc. She was the biggest cheerleader at every event, happy during our victories, consoling after a loss. There was always a "next time".

As our mom, she encouraged our every effort, even if she didn't always agree. She shared our joys, and cried with us during our sadness and pain. She was our heart and the glue that held our family together.

She was a beautiful woman, inside and out, who made every single person she met feel special. Each child thought they were her favorite. She led a full and compassionate life to the very end and will be so missed by all who knew and loved her.

In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her precious husband, Bob, her sister, Roberta Reeves Barrentine, her oldest daughter, Barbara Ann Knight, and her son-in-law, Bobby Berry. Survivors include her devoted children: daughters Jan Berry, Terry (Wayne) Nicolosi, Carny (Mike) Harkins, and Kathy (Danny) Prosser, and favorite son, Bob (Jill) Hitchins; grandchildren, Eric, Zach, and Cade Knight, Leslie Sams, Biff, Josh, and Dylan Hitchins, Michael (Mandy) Harkins and Caroline Harkins (Corey) Mays, Bianca Nicolosi, Chase Williamson, and great-granddaughter, Gracie, as well as a beloved niece, Gale Landrum and nephews Paul and Bill (Paula) Reeves, Butch Hitchins, and Artie Hitchins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to your favorite charity. The guest registry may be signed online at www.lakewoodfuneralhomes.com