Lisa McLain Dickey

Lisa McLain Dickey passed away quietly in her sleep, finally at peace on Friday, May 24, 2024 at the tender young age of 61. She now rests in the loving arms of God and watches over us all with love. She was a loving and kind soul who will be deeply missed by her family and many friends.

Lisa was born in Raleigh, NC to Charlie and Faye McLain and raised as a Virginia girl in the Shenandoah Valley. She accompanied her husband down to South Carolina where she has made an everlasting impression on so many.

Lisa met her husband Joel through work over 30 years ago. He was a field engineer, and she was his call coordinator. Over time, he worked up the courage to ask her on a date, and to his joy, she said yes. He asked her to marry him in 1995. She said yes again. Since Joel was used to Lisa telling him where to go, what time to be there, and what to do once he got there, the marriage worked.

Lisa and Joel were blessed with a baby boy in 1996. McLain (Lisa’s maiden name) grew into a fine young man and has always been the light of Lisa’s life. She was, and is, a loving and giving mother. She has always been so proud of him, and rightly so. We take comfort knowing that she is watching over him now.

Lisa was a talented artist and decorator. Instead of canvas, walls were the main focus of her expression. She painted many children’s bedroom walls with whimsical scenes of imagination. She also used that talent to paint the walls of preschools to brighten and inspire the children’s school experience.

Lisa was a preschool teacher for over 20 years. Teaching was her joy. She loved the children, and they loved her. She was the type of teacher that inspired everyone. Often, she could be found on the floor engaging in activities, wearing silly hats, giving hugs away, encouraging and teaching in a manner that was fun for the children. Many nights while we watched TV, she would be creating crafts or cutting out patterns for school the next day. I often jokingly asked her how much homework she had tonight.

This we know in our hearts - There are several generations of children who have grown up in the Irmo and Ballentine area, who are now high school and college graduates that remember Mrs. Lisa and are blessed from her teaching and loving care. Everywhere she went, she would run into parents and children that loved her. That is Lisa’s legacy. That is her soul.

Lisa is survived by her devoted husband Joel, her beloved son McLain, her stepdaughter Leigha Nuss and her husband Allen, and her parents Charlie and Faye McLain, who Lisa loved with all her heart. She was like her father with her craftiness and her mother with her home cooking and hospitality. Her sister Debbie Powers, who has been by Lisa’s side through thick and thin, and Debbie’s husband Danny. She was Aunt to Delaney, Devan, and Dawson, who she loved as her own. Her friend Tina Hodge, who was Lisa’s greatest advocate. Lisa will also be missed by her aunts, uncles, and many cousins who loved her dearly and were never far from Lisa’s heart. We were all by her side during this tribulation with the promise that she would never be alone until the Angels came to carry her home to God.

Words are not enough to express our sincere gratitude to all of our friends who were with us for the long hours in the waiting room. Donald and Mary Beth, Janet and Cindy, and all of our friends got to see her one last time. We are also grateful to those who wanted to visit but could not because of visitation limits.

We especially want to thank Cheryl and Gunter of Lucky’s who were there for us with a badly needed care package on that first day. Lucky’s is like going to your best friend’s house for good food, cold drinks, and to meet all of your other friends. Kinder, more caring people than Cheryl and Gunter cannot be found.

Finally, we wish to express our gratitude to Prisma Baptist Hospital. In a week that can only be described as devastating, the Baptist hospital doctors and nurses did everything in their power to save our sweet Lisa. When it became clear that she could not be saved, they showed great empathy and kindness. I especially want to thank the nursing staff- every one of them. They treated Lisa with a tenderness and gentleness that speaks to the highest standards of nursing. They are angels of mercy who wear scrubs and come to work for long hours giving love and care. A special place in Heaven awaits them all.

Lisa’s service will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, June 9th, 2024 at Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, in Irmo, with a reception to be held immediately after the service.

These verses from Psalms bring me peace:

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

Lisa touched so many lives and hearts in her life. Please take a few moments to share fond memories or stories with her family by selecting the "Add a Memory" icon below.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family would be grateful if you made donations to Danny and Ron’s Rescue. This organization does the noble work of rescuing animals in danger and need. We adopted our little Ladybug from them on June 26th, 2023. She is Lisa’s pride and joy and the Princess of her domain.

Memorials in Lisa’s name may be made at the following link online: https://dannyronsrescue.org/donate or through mail: Danny & Ron’s Rescue, P.O. Box 604, Camden, SC 29021.

Lisa would want everyone to be comfortable for her last goodbye. Dress code will be come as you are. Dress to the nines or dress comfortably. Lisa loved everyone for who they are.