Please note that this post contains affiliate links and any sales made through such links will reward MageeNews.com a small commission – at no extra cost to you.
(My sister Linda wrote this beautiful tribute to my daddy for the grandchildren and great grandchildren who never knew him. I hope you do not mind that I decided to
share with you, my friends.)
Loved Ones,
Today is a day to celebrate the life of Daddy, Granddaddy. Dickey
(Fred, F. J.) was born 99 years ago as the first child to Alma and Edgar
Dickey in Lucien, MS, Franklin County. His was a life so well lived.
Sometimes we measure a life in longevity, but his can be measured in the
worth of every minute, every day, every year and the lives that he
impacted.. Daddy was adventuresome, a man of integrity, highly
respected, a devoted father, a man who absolutely adored his wife and
would take Mama to plays and musicals, a wonderful son who was the star
of the family, positive in his outlook,very handsome with dark hair and
blue eyes, fun, loved the outdoors, thought that his girls could
accomplish anything, a leader, an athlete, a businessman, could
communicate with and appreciated people from all walks and economic
status, tender, soft spoken, a man’s man, unashamedly devoted to the
Lord as a Christian man. I could go on and on in describing him, but
these are just my thoughts at the moment.
Below I am listing just a few things in remembrance of Daddy.
As teacher of the 9th grade boys and junior high in Sunday School, he
would give them movie tickets each Sunday when they memorized their
Bible verse for the week as an incentive. The moves then were Saturday
g-rated, thankfully.
Daddy was asked to run for mayor in every election, but never accepted.
He always got a creditable number of write in votes.
He was a visionary in business and government.
Daddy was extremely giving and very quiet about it.
He loved helping young people accomplish their dreams.
When I was born, I was almost named Lacy Gray, but no girl in our family
had been named Lacy or Gray so Daddy suggested Linda not knowing whether
or not I would like Lacy. As you can tell, I loved Lacy and Gray. My
goodness, so many have followed with those names as well as other
beautiful family names. Linda was a very popular name of that decade.
You know the story of the black man saving Daddy’s life on the ship when
their shipped was fired upon. I think of that man who gave his life for
Daddy’s so often.
Daddy’s counsel was often sought in civic and church affairs.
A man, who wanted to open a liquor store in Magee, came to Daddy asking
for his endorsement. Daddy did not think that it would be good for the
people, especially the young people, and did not endorse the man’s
proposed business venture. I was told this by Billy Hudson. Billy said
that he always had such respect for Daddy. Even though The Magee
Bankrupt and Fire Sale (Hudsons), was competition to the retailers in
Magee, Daddy advised and helped Billy.
Daddy spent most Thursday afternoons at the farm bush hogging.
We made homemade ice cream on the patio with a manual crank maker every
Thursday. Sue and I would take turns sitting on the towel over the
motor holding it down.
Daddy was the source of the excellence of the Magee Fire Department due
to his leadership and knowledge from WWII.
Daddy was weighed on a cotton scale when he was born. The scale, which
just could not have been correct, showed either 11 or 13 pounds. If I
remember what I was told, 13.
Animals and children loved Daddy.
Sue had a place in his heart that belonged to no one else.
I never heard my Daddy complain, not one time.
The day before Daddy had his first doctor appointment when he was 53, we
played tennis and he beat me. I was not a good player at all, but he
was playing in street shoes and work clothes.
Daddy was very sick as a young boy, but the Lord healed and saved him.
His really was a life well lived.
I could go on and on. You know about college, etc. I love you so much
and want you to know that your great grandparents would be so proud of
you. Thanks be to God that we had Grandmama.
I love you,
Linda–Mama—Aunt Linda—LaLa
P.S. Flowers will be in the church in Magee on September 13th in memory
of our family members—–Mama, Daddy, Larkin, and Gilbert.
What a truly Great Christian Man he was. I remember going into the store to get shoes and my parents not having the money at the time to buy better shoes and he would let us have them either at the cost of the other shoes or pay when we could plan….He Was a great Man…
I loved this tribute to your father. He seemed to be a wonderful man, and you were greatly blessed, This has led to your blessing of many others. May God continue to crown your efforts.
Many of the postings of birthdays seem so familiar to me, but some need==make that, I need,maiden names to figure out the females.
Sue, such a wonderful tribute to your daddy and so well written by Linda. He was a great Christian man who loved his family and was respected by everyone who knew him. What a legacy he left to his family. Thank you for sharing this with your friends/readers.