Annie Dickey

Annie Mae Sumner Dickey, age 96, of 1422 North Graham-Hopedale Rd. went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, February 17, 2014 at Edgewood Place. A native of Alamance County, she was the wife of the late Clarence John Ernest Dickey and daughter of the late Clifton Beal and Savannah "Vanner" McAdams Sumner. She was a longtime member of Staley Memorial Baptist Church. She began playing the piano and organ at age 13 and taught piano for many years. Over her lifetime she played the piano and sang for countless funerals, weddings and several gospel groups Including the Gibsonville Quartet, the Masters Quartet and gospel groups on Channel 16 Christian Television. She was called the "Female Liberace." She organized a "Good News Club" for neighborhood children during the summer and even in her 80's formed a Bible Study in her home. She founded a ministry at the Alamance County jail which she continued for almost 50 years and was awarded a citation by the Sheriff for this ministry. She received the Governor's Award for "Those Who Care" sponsored by WFMY Channel 2 television. In her younger years she helped her father in his grocery stores and family restaurant. As a child, she loved to listen to "Blind Henry" play the piano for silent movies in local theaters. Before she had her own piano, she would draw the piano keys on a window sill so she could practice. Her sweet welcoming spirit was always there for all to see and it seemed to rub off on those around her. Survivors include her sons, Tim Dickey and wife Kathleen Gaynor-Dickey of Chicago, IL; daughters, Sylvia Boswell and husband Bill of Burlington and Carolyn Lawson and husband Ronald of Graham; grandchildren, Dale Dickey Shelia, Elaine Barnes Pete, Derek Boswell Ingrid, Sherre Williams, Kim Kleu Jon, Lee Smith Eve and Lisa Cagle Mark; 17 great grandchldren and 9 great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, son, Larry D. Dickey; sister Myrtle Culberson and grandson, Gregory Dickey. The family would like to thank the caregivers at Edgewood Place for the exceptional care given their mother. Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm Sunday, February 23, 2014 in the Lowe Funeral Home Chapel by Rev. Bennie Smith. Interment will follow in Pine Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Dickey will remain at Lowe Funeral Home through the funeral service. The family will receive friends at Lowe Funeral Home from 5-9pm Saturday and at her home at other times. Memorials may be made to Gideons International, Alamance West Camp, P.O. Box 565, Burlington, NC 27216 or to International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, P.O. Box. 96105 Washington, DC 20090.