Ira Augustus Dickerson

Dr. Ira Augustus Dickerson, 93, passed away on April 15, 2021, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center following an extended illness. He was born to Frank and Gussie Wynn Dickerson on September 11, 1927, in Portal, Ga., and was one of twelve children. He was a devoted husband, caring father, and loving grandfather. In his last few years, he was lovingly cared for daily by daughters Melanie Holloway and Mary Lynn Robbins.

Dr. Dickerson served one year in the United States Navy and two years in the United States Army. Following active military duty, he was a teacher of vocational agriculture at Vidalia High School (1953-54) and Dodge County High School (1954-57). In 1958, he moved to the state FFA-FHA camp as Director and served in that role for 11 years. From 1969 to 1977, he served as an Instructor in the Agricultural Education Department at the University of Georgia. He later served as Assistant Professor and Head of Teacher Education in Agriculture at the University of Georgia from 1977 until his retirement in 1984. He was inducted into the Georgia Agricultural Education Hall of Fame in 2000.

Dr. Dickerson was a devoted member of Watkinsville First Baptist Church in Watkinsville, Ga., where he taught Sunday school for many years. He was a leader in faith for the Dickerson family and was a tremendous man of God right up to his final hours.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Gussie Wynn Dickerson; his wife, Lillian Parramore Dickerson; three brothers, Reggie, Barney, and Kelly Dickerson; and four sisters, Bertis Deal, Grace Deal, Eunice Chester, and Jewel Dickerson.

He is survived by children Mickey Dickerson and wife Vivian of Folkston, Ga., Neal Dickerson and wife Cindy of Loganville, Ga., Mary Lynn Robbins and husband David of Nashville, Tenn., and Melanie Holloway and husband Chris of Nashville, Tenn.; eleven grandchildren Andy Dickerson and wife Amy of Folkston, Ga., Kent Dickerson and wife Holli of Monroe, Ga., Grant Dickerson and wife Kameron of Waverly, Ga., Ashley Bradford and husband Alan of Loganville, Ga., Lesley Anne Fenton and husband Kyle of Loganville, Ga., Drew Dickerson and wife Ashley of Augusta, Ga., Leah Holloway, Brian Holloway, and Matthew Holloway of Mt. Juliet, Tenn., David Robbins of Mt. Juliet, Tenn., Trey Robbins and wife Leah of Columbia, Tenn.; sisters Dorothy Newsome of Statesboro, Ga., Bobbie Morris of Portal, Ga., Betty Jo Collins and husband Woody of Pelion, S.C.; brother Jerry Dickerson and wife Runette of Portal, Ga.; eight great-grandchildren Lillianne and Graham Bradford, Gabe and Caleb Fenton, Charlie Holloway, Luke Dickerson, Ayla Ruth and Elijah Dickerson; two step-great-grandchildren Austin and Trysta Bennett.

The family will receive visitors on Monday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Oconee Chapel at 2370 Highway 53, Watkinsville, Ga. 30677. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. at Oconee Memorial Park directly behind the Oconee Chapel. The service will be officiated by Pastor Carlos Sibley. Pallbearers will be grandsons Andy Dickerson, David Robbins, Kent Dickerson, Brian Holloway, Trey Robbins, Grant Dickerson, Drew Dickerson, and Matthew Holloway.

As a long time member, Dr. Dickerson witnessed the spread of the gospel through his beloved Watkinsville First Baptist Church. Therefore, we ask that in lieu of flowers a donation be considered to Watkinsville First Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 228, Watkinsville, Ga. 30677.