Johnnie Mae Dickson

Mrs. Dickson died Thursday, January 16, 2025, in Cypress, Texas.

Johnnie Mae was born February 26, 1938, to John Henry Harris and Martha Lee Holt in Gregory, Arkansas. She grew up in a large, loving family, which included sisters Margaret Sparks Wiggs, Bernice Sparks Sperry, Mary Harris Smith, and brothers Buddy Sparks and John Henry Harris, Jr. She played basketball, had a memorable day racing a Corvette, was a cheerleader, and graduated from Cotton Plant High School, in Cotton Plant, Arkansas. She married Joseph Mack Dickson in 1959. While Joe pursued his masters degree at the University of Chicago, Johnnie worked as the secretary to the President of the American Bar Association. After returning to Little Rock, Johnnie worked as a legal secretary to the Attorney General of Arkansas, Bruce Bennett. In 1968 the family moved to Temple where Joe joined Scott and White Memorial Hospital as the Hospital Administrator. Johnnie served the community in many capacities, particularly as an active member and volunteer through the Junior League of Bell County. She was a member of Grace Presbyterian Church. In her free time, she enjoyed sports, reading, working jigsaw puzzles, and most recently, working with her personal trainer at a local gym. And she loved to dance up until her final weeks.

Johnnie is survived by two children, Ashley (Dan Smith) and Brad (Angela Harrison), five grandchildren Katie Johnson (Kathy), Colin Johnson, Jessica Dickson, Jenna Dickson (Gavin Kalista), Jason (Kristin) Smith, and two great-grandchildren Kamryn Smith and Wesley Kalista. Johnnie is also survived by her sister Bernice Sperry and brother John Henry Harris, Jr.

She was preceded in death by her parents, several siblings, husband Joe, and daughter Allison.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the Central Texas Children’s Center in Temple.