Arthur N. Dickerson
Arthur N. Dickerson, 92, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Thursday, December 1, 2022. He had a wonderful life and was remarkably healthy up until a few days before his death.
He was predeceased by his parents, A.L. and Irene Dickerson; son, Arthur Foster Dickerson; and nephew, Michael Stanford.
He and his wife Sally met at Belmont Heights Baptist Church in Nashville in 1950, when Sally was a senior in high school and Art was a student at Vanderbilt University. They married in 1952 and celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in August. Their marriage was a shining example to all of true love, equal partnership and friendship -- as long as they didn’t discuss politics!
Art was born in Chattanooga in 1930 and attended Anna B. Lacey Elementary School, Brainerd Junior High and McCallie, where he formed lifelong friendships. He earned a master’s degree in economics at Vanderbilt, and served two years in the U.S. Army at Fort Jackson in Columbia, SC.
After his Army stint, Sally and Art moved to Chattanooga and lived in the Glenwood Apartments before moving to Signal Mountain in 1961 and raising their four children there. They continued to live on the mountain until his death.
Art worked at Provident Life Insurance (now Unum) for 45 years, first in the Group Department and later Benefits Department until his retirement in 1996. He spent long hours at work to provide for his family, but rarely missed a ball game, ballet recital or handbell concert. He was always ready to play catch in the yard or sit down and read a book with his children after work, even if sometimes he probably would have preferred to relax and read the newspaper.
He was a faithful member of First Baptist Church-Golden Gateway of Chattanooga, where he was a lifelong deacon, a founding member of the Waters Sunday School, and sang tenor in the choir for decades.
After his retirement, Art had more time to devote to volunteer pursuits, and spent many fulfilling hours serving on boards and committees for the Town of Signal Mountain, Signal Mountain Town Library, and the Chambliss Center for Children. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club and attended weekly meetings until COVID came along.
He loved visits with his nine grandchildren, and often told them how proud he was of them. He was humble and gentle and unfailingly kind, and his children and grandchildren have tried to live up to his example.
He is survived by his wife Sally; daughter Mary Irene Dickerson of Decatur, GA; daughter Ann Zack (Bill) of Signal Mountain; son Andy (Maria Gindhart) of Atlanta; daughter-in-law Stevie Dickerson of Oak Ridge; grandchildren Grant Dickerson of Knoxville; Zoe Humphrey (Matt) of Oak Ridge; Tuesday Dickerson (Jason Lamb) of Knoxville; Taylor Dickerson (Zachary Zapata) of Knoxville; Foster Dickerson of Oak Ridge; Chris Zack of Utica, NY; Claire Smith of Boise, ID; Sally Smith of Atlanta; and Colette Dickerson of Atlanta; Sally’s sister and brother-in-law Priscilla and Mike Stanford of Lexington, Tenn., and their daughter Toni Norcross (Ernie) of Eads, Tenn.; and seven great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Monday, Dec. 12 at 1 p.m., with visitation from noon to 1 p.m., in the Chapel of First Baptist Church-Golden Gateway of Chattanooga. A private burial at the National Cemetery is planned for a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider giving to one of Art’s favorite charities: First Baptist Church-Golden Gateway Benevolence Fund, which supports those in need; Chattanooga Food Bank; Chattanooga Community Kitchen; Friends of the Signal Mountain Town Library; or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the care of the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com