Mary Louise Dickens
Our Mother, Mary Louise Dickens ran into the arms of Jesus on September 11, 2025. She suffered for a number of years with dementia and experienced a number of falls and complications from those falls resulting in her death.
Louise Dickens was born May 24, 1932, in Lancaster, Tennessee, to Palice Gray Cowan and Hazel Moss Cowan. She began her school years riding across a river in a small boat steered by her mother from one side of the bluff to the open road where her school was located. Her family relocated to Wilson County, Tennessee in the 1940s and she began attending Shop Springs School and then Watertown High School. She attended Falls Business College studying to be a secretary. She worked several years before marrying and beginning her family of four children. Louise returned to work at Lux Clock in Lebanon where she was a secretary until the relocation of the business. Louise spent greater than 80 years as an active member of Lebanon Church of the Nazarene serving as Sunday School teacher for over 50 years and church treasurer.
In 1953 Louise married John Paul Dickens. “Johnny” died in 2016 leaving her to enjoy the company of her family and her beloved pets “Black Jack” and “Callie”.
Louise is survived by children: Stephanie Gail Purtee (Ron), Cindy Climer, Ronnie Dickens (Pam), and Brian Dickens (Betty Ann); Grandchildren: Brad Whited (Natalie), Jennifer Fennell, Emily McCullough (Jesse), Jessica Johns (Rob), Ashley Anderson (Elaina), Alex Dickens (Jillian), Mitchell Dickens, Katie Edwards (Drew), Sara Dickens; Great-Grandchildren: Grayson McCullough (Ansley), Caleb Whited, Lana Fennell, Anaya Amissah, Sadie McCullough, Maddox McCullough, Kenzie Johns, Willow Johns, Ellie Dickens and Abbie Dickens.
Preceded in death by: John Paul Dickens, her husband of 63 years; Ricky Foster Climer, son-in-law; Donald Gray Cowan, younger brother; Beverly Middaugh Cowan, sister-in-law; and Kellie Ann Johnston Whited, granddaughter.
Louise developed a strong love of growing plants and was known to have a “green thumb” which has been carried on in the family. She loved cooking for the family and sharing quality time with her immediate family as well as her Cowan family.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, September 14, 2025, at 4 p.m. from the Ligon & Bobo Funeral Home with Rev. Gary Wilson officiating. Interment will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery. Visitation Saturday 2-6 p.m. and Sunday 2 p.m. until service time.
Pallbearers will be Grandsons, Brad Whited, Alex Dickens, Mitchell Dickens; Great-grandsons, Grayson McCullough. Caleb Whited, Maddox McCullough; Nephews: Wayne Cowan, David Cowan and Daniel Cowan; Grandson-in-law: Jesse McCullough, Rob Johns and Drew Edwards; and Special friend: Cyrus Souza who belovingly referred to her as Aunt Louise.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to Lebanon First Church of the Nazarene, Lebanon, Tennessee.
LIGON & BOBO FUNERAL HOME in charge of arrangements. www.ligonbobo.com
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