Joe Tannery Dickson

Joe Tannery Dickson, 83, of Park Street, Morganton, NC died Thursday, August 27, 2009 at his residence. He was born on July 11, 1926 in Oconee County, SC a son of the late David D. and Eva Tannery Dickson.. Joe was a member of Drexel First Baptist Church. He retired from the U.S. Navy in 1970 as a Chief Petty Officer after 30 years of service. He then retired after 20 years of work for the Burke County Health Department as a Sanitation Inspector.Joe is survived by his wife, Louise Farmer Robinson of the home; sons, Henry "Duke" Dickson and wife, Terri, of Woodstock, GA and Joe Tannery Dickson, Jr. of Kennesaw, GA; a daughter, Deborah Kay Dickson of Morganton; grandchildren, Stephanie, Steve, and Sandi Dickson; four great-grandchildren; step-daughters, Donna Ledford and Janet Furr, both of Myrtle Beach, SC; a step-son, Darrell Smart of Pendergrass, GA; and a sister, Frances Ballenger of Westminster, SC.In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Jean Duke Dickson; and sisters, Edna Dickson and Libba Ayers.The graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 29, 2009 at Burke Memorial Park with Father Kenneth Whittington officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 1:30 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690.