Mildred "Helen" Dickerson-True

Mildred “Helen” Dickerson True passed away peacefully in Houston, Texas on October 10, 2024 at the age of 92. Right up until the moment of her passing, she was surrounded by family, sharing stories of a life well-lived. Helen (known as “Mamama” to many) is survived by her three children and their spouses - Diana Hovey (Tom), Mike Dickerson (Tanja), Linda Mekeel (Mark), Tracey Dickerson, nine grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. She leaves a lifetime of lessons and a legacy of kindness, gratitude, optimism and grace.

Helen was born to William Micajiah (“Mike”) Brooks and Mildred Florence Brooks on August 19, 1932 in Atlanta, Georgia. She graduated from Griffin High School in 1950, went to college to study elementary education, and used her expertise in phonics to teach kindergarten and first graders in Georgia and Oregon.

It was love at first sight when Helen met Lemuel Cosby (“Dick”) Dickerson in Warm Springs, Georgia on Memorial Day weekend of 1954, and they married on July 10, 1955.

Between 1957 and 1962, Helen and Dick welcomed four children into the world: Donald (“Don”) Brooks Dickerson, Diana Lynn Dickerson, Michael (“Mike”) Cosby Dickerson, and Linda Marie Dickerson. They lived in Portland, Oregon; Muncie and Evansville, Indiana; Memphis, Tennessee; and finally, Dallas, Texas, where all four children graduated from JJ Pearce High School. Not only was Helen actively raising four rambunctious children, she also found time to pursue her love of volunteering, gardening, ceramics, cake decorating, rug making, knitting and artwork.

In 1972, Helen and Dick opened a small business together, Figure Logic Business Equipment, which quickly became the gathering spot for friends and business people in Lakewood.

In 1978, after a hard-fought battle against metastatic lung cancer, Dick passed away at the age of 46.

On January 22, 1990, Helen married James Vernon (“Jim”) True in Richardson, Texas. They enjoyed a close circle of friends and often entertained in their home. Jim passed away in 2016.

Starting in 1980, Helen welcomed nine grandchildren and their growing families: Brooke (Jim) Eustace, Michael (Paola) Hovey, Taylor (Blaise) Dickerson, Kolby (Megan) Dickerson, Kelsey Dickerson, Lance (Kristy) Mekeel, Katie (Adam) Ewen, Blake (Stephani) Mekeel and Trenton (Libbie) Dickerson. The oldest nicknamed her “Mamama,” and that name stuck. Helen was actively involved in their daily lives, and the grandkids will be the first to tell you: There is only one Mamama, and she filled their lives with her contagious belief that dreams are possible, and everything is the ‘best ever’. In recent years, Mamama was able to hold eight great-grandchildren in her arms, which brought her tremendous joy.

Helen is preceded in death by her oldest son, Don, who passed away in 2023 after a hard-fought battle against pulmonary fibrosis. The rest of her family continues to reside in Texas, where they spend time together often – sharing stories, telling jokes, and treasuring the relationships and memories she made possible.

A private graveside service with immediate family will be held at Sparkman Hillcrest Memorial Park in Dallas, where Helen will be laid to rest alongside the love of her life, Dick, and her parents. In lieu of sending flowers, consider planting one in your own yard as a symbol of beauty, joy and possibility in every day – a fitting tribute that would make Helen (aka Mamama) smile.