Paula Carlene Dickerson

Mrs. Paula Carlene Dickerson, age 68, passed Monday, December 12, 2022, in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. She was born December 15, 1953, in Eunice, New Mexico, to the late John Milburn and Imogene (Gentry) Tidwell.

Mrs. Dickerson graduated from the Wickes High School, in Wickes, Arkansas in 1972, as an honor student. She would go on to graduate from Henderson State University and would obtain her degree in Elementary Education as well as a master’s in Counseling. Paula had a very fulfilling career, working as an Elementary counselor at De Queen Schools, an admissions counselor at CCCUA in De Queen, Arkansas, a counselor for Batesville School System, as well as working for the Arkansas Department of Education at Little Rock, Arkansas, and as the Federal Program Coordinator for Alma/Van Buren. 

She was a wonderful piano player and a great athlete at Wickes High School, earning 60 points in one night as well as 59 points in a separate night, under the Coach Sherman Price.  She was a dedicated member of The Heritage United Methodist Church in Van Buren, Arkansas. Paula had written and published her own book, “Glory came in Amber Rays”, about surviving the loss of her daughter. She enjoyed photography as well as butterflies, RV’ing and Camping, and loved visiting the beautiful beaches of Destin, Florida.

Mrs. Dickerson is preceded in death by her parents, John and Imogene Tidwell; daughter, Amber Carleigh Davis Morris; paternal grandparents, Deloma and William Tidwell; maternal grandparents, Inez and Carl Gentry; and by her sister-in-law, Bettie Ann Johnson.

She is survived by her loving husband, Merle Dickerson; daughters, Maralyn Faulkenberry and husband Stacy, Melissa Birchfield and husband Micah; grandchildren, Brentley Morris, Asher Morris, and Brylee Morris, Carter Faulkenberry and wife Kennedy, Kane Faulkenberry, and Kyleigh Faulkenberry; nephews, Brad Lyle and wife Linda, Scott Johnson and wife Karla, Jon Tidwell, and Brad Gentry; nieces, Shauna Gilbraith and husband Scott, Amy Tadlock; and Briony Jenkins and husband Chad; brother, Mitchell Tidwell and wife Laurie; sister, Pat Towry and husband Charles; special friend and caretaker, Christa Nishmuta; as well as numerous other family and friends too great to mention.

Graveside services for Mrs. Paula Dickerson will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 17, 2022, at Crystal Hill Cemetery, in Wickes, Arkansas. Brother Lonnie Myers will be officiating under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.

Honorary Pallbearers are Michael Gentry, Scott Richardson, and Sherman Price.

Online obituary and guestbook at www.beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

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