Ernestine Dickerson

Ernestine Cass McGee Dickerson, 94, joined the community of saints on February 22, 2014. A memorial service will be held at 4:00 pm on Sunday, February 23, 2014 at Clayton First United Methodist Church. Friends and family will gather at the church immediately following the service.

Born on November 30, 1919 in Fitzgerald, Georgia, Ernestine was the daughter of the late Eugene and Grace Cass. She attended Agnes Scott College on academic scholarship at age 16. After graduating with a degree in mathematics in 1940, Ernestine married the first love of her life Walter Harrington McGee.

She and Walter raised three children initially in Europe during Walter’s army service, then in suburban Atlanta, where Ernestine served as a teacher and administrator in Atlanta public schools and as a kindergarten director at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church. After Walter’s untimely death at age 58, Ernestine married the second love of her life, Ralph Jenkins Dickerson, in 1975 and moved to Clayton, Georgia. Ernestine immersed herself in the Clayton community as a proud member of the Dickerson clan and an active member of Clayton First Methodist. After her 90th birthday and a spirited fight, Ernestine reluctantly decided to give up delivering meals on Wheels to the elderly. Ernestine was an avid traveler, taking each of her seven grandchildren on a special trip at age 10 anywhere in the world they wanted to go.

Ernestine is survived by her husband Ralph Dickerson, daughters Mackie Nix (Buddy) and Mary Wiggins (Joe), and her son John Walter McGee (Barbara); grandchildren Tony Nix, Natalie Mitchell, Billy Newsome, Alan Newsome, Marissa Walters, Ian McGee, Tyler McGee and Kelli Ramey; Great grandchildren Meredith Strauss, Madalynn Mitchell, Michael Mitchell, Ann Newsome, Emily Newsome, Wade Newsome, Mattie Grace Walters, Alexis Landry, Gavin McGee, Peyton McGee, Trevor Ramey and Coryn Byers. Ernestine was also delighted to meet her great-great grandson Shea Stauss just last week.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Cannon Woods Village and Halcyon Hospice for their compassionate care. Memorials may be made to Clayton First United Church or Agnes Scott College.

An on-line obituary and guest register is available at www.hunterfuneralhomega.com