Rita Lynn Bates Dickerson, 74, of Joaquin, entered into eternal glory on Monday, August 23, 2021, at her home in Joaquin.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.  Funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m., Thursday, August 26, 2021, at Watson & Sons Chapel with Bro. J.C. Lewis, Bro. Joe Halliday, and Bro. Mike Fodge officiating.  Interment will follow at Johnson Cemetery in Joaquin.  

Born October 21, 1946, in Logansport, Louisiana, she is the daughter of the late Robert Elmer Bates and Eula Merle Rhame Bates.  She was a member of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Joaquin and was recently honored for 50 consecutive years of faithful service.

Everything she did was motivated by her intense love for God and family.  She consistently ignored her own wants and needs to help anyone in need, while never asking anything in return from anyone.

She was a devoted wife and mother and adored her other family and friends.  She always welcomed visitors.  

She is preceded in death by her parents, and loving husband, Ray Dickerson Jr.

Survived by sons, Richard Dickerson and wife Lena of St. Mary’s, GA, and Randy Dickerson of Joaquin and Richell Prudhomme of Gloster, LA; brothers, Webb Bates and wife Jean of Joaquin, Milton Bates and wife Kay of Joaquin, and Robert E. “Buddy” Bates Jr. and wife Tina of Millville, Utah; grandchildren, Micah Dickerson and wife Candice of Conroe, TX, Lindsey Dickerson Weber of St. Mary’s, GA, Kevin Dickerson and wife Brittney of LaMarque, TX, Caleb Dickerson of Quincy, IL, Scott Dickerson and wife Becca of Joaquin, Coleman Dickerson and Alli Jo Baldwin of Center, and Ryan Dickerson of Joaquin; great grandchildren, Seth Lytle, Bella Dickerson, Christian Matysek, Kaiden Weber, Trinity Whitten, Opal McCleary, Dawson Dickerson, and Charlotte Dickerson; special friends, Jamie Gray Griffin and Willie David Shoemaker of Joaquin; also, special fur grand, Tank.

Pallbearers will be Kevin Dickerson, Scott Dickerson, Michael Bates, Ryan Dickerson, Bob Dickerson, and Stephen Ewing.  Honorary pallbearers will be Coleman Dickerson, Caleb G. Dickerson, Micah Dickerson, and Seth Lytle.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Joaquin.

Online condolences & tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfuneralhome.com