Mary Ann Dieckman

Mary Ann was born on November 27th, 1933, to Fred and Alice Gaines. She was raised in Barrineau Park, Florida. She graduated from Troy State Teachers College in 1955, with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She started her teaching career at Suter Elementary School in Pensacola, Florida, as a second-grade teacher and taught for a total of 40 years. Mary Ann retired from Florence Elementary School in 1995, after 18 years as a fourth-grade teacher. She was always excited to see a former student at a restaurant, grocery store or any other public place and they remembered her.

She met the love of her life, Robert Dieckman, in August of 1956. They married on July 26th, 1957, at Mary Ann’s childhood church, Barrineau Park Methodist Church. After living in Florida for a brief time, they made their home in Mississippi where they raised their four children.

She was a woman of deep faith and was a faithful member of North Park Presbyterian Church for over 40 years where she taught Sunday school; she was very involved in The Women of the Church, and participated in Bible Study Fellowship where she made many special friendships. Robert and Mary Ann have been active and proud members of Lakeland Presbyterian Church since 2013.

She was a devoted wife, loving sister, adored mother, cherished grandmother, great-grandmother and loyal friend. She was a talented seamstress, who also loved spending time in her flower beds or in the kitchen cooking for her husband and family. Mary Ann and Robert retired at the same time which allowed them to take many trips with their lifelong friends to places like Branson, Missouri and New York City. They enjoyed traveling to attend numerous University of Southern Mississippi sporting events and other memorable occasions.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Alice Gaines; sisters, Nelda Gaines and Theta Redman; and brother, Henry Gaines. She is survived by her husband of 65 ½ years, Robert Dieckman, who worked tirelessly with Mary Ann to provide a comfortable home of love, honor, and respect for their family as husband and wife. She is also survived by her brother, Fred (Joann) Gaines; her children Denise (Mark) Wade, Donnie (Joanna) Dieckman, Diana (Richard) Stewart, Dale (Marsha) Dieckman; her grandchildren Emily (Andy) King, Alyssa Dieckman, Amanda (Will) Cannon, Ashley (Brant) Harrison, Spencer (Julie) Wade, Jon Dale (Avery) Dieckman, Emma Grace Dieckman, Helen Ruth Dieckman and bonus grandchildren Katie Stewart and Rebecca Bove. She treasured spending time with her four great-grandchildren, as well as, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and dedicated church family and friends.

The family requests memorials be made to Lakeland Presbyterian Church or French Camp Academy.