Mary Lee Delores Dicker

June 20, 1945, in Lake City, SC. She was the fourth child born to William and Elise Cooper. She

was raised in the Church, attending service and activities multiple times during the day and

week. Shortly after high school, on January 24, 1963, she married her high school friend, John D.

Dicker, and soon thereafter, they moved to Hampton, VA. She was a devoted wife and mother.

Mary lived a life marked by devotion, sacrifice, hard work, tenacity, toughness, and love. She

was the proud and tireless mother of four beautiful children—her greatest joy and the actual

heartbeat of her life. Every day, she poured herself into providing for her family, working

tirelessly not only to meet their needs but also to give them a foundation of faith, strength,

resilience, and unconditional love. She sacrificed to ensure that her children lacked for nothing.

She lived life on purpose with passion, doing what she wanted to do, how she wanted to do it,

and doing it with excellence until the job was done—pleasing the Lord.

Mary was known for her unshakable work ethic, her resilience in the face of life’s challenges,

her beautiful smile, and unrelenting determination that inspired everyone around her. People

chased her down for her well-known and beloved fried chicken, collard greens, and soul food.

She could cook anything and do everything! Though she carried many responsibilities, she

always found ways to fill her home with warmth, good food, laughter, and encouragement.

To her children, she was both protector and cheerleader, teaching them the value of hard work,

kindness, and perseverance while pushing them to overcome every challenge—not to give up. To

her grandchildren, she was the “kissing” grandma—always giving them “a little something” to

take home with them. To her family and friends, she was a steady and dependable presence—

always ready with a listening ear, a helping hand, an excellent meal made with love, or a clean

bed for rest.

Beyond her roles as a mother and wife, Mary was admired for her excellence, work ethic,

compassion and generous spirit in the workplace. She believed in the dignity of every person, so

she consistently and fearlessly stood up for those she felt needed it. She had a gift for lifting

others up, even when her own burdens were heavy. Her legacy will live on in the lives of her

children, who carry forward her example of courage and boldness, faith and hope, strength and

resilience, passion for people, joy in family and fellowship, and unstoppable love.

She is survived by her four children—Zina (Mitchell) White, Timothy (April) Dicker, John

Dicker, and Denise (Casey) Hall as well as 11 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 1

great-great grandson, one sister Cola Mae McClellan, and a host of nephews and nieces. She is

preceded in death by her husband, John D. Dicker, sister and brother-in-law RosaLee and Ernest

Bowens, brother William “Son” Cooper, brother-in-law Lawrence McClellan, and parents

William Sam and Elise Cooper.

Though she is no longer with us in body, Mary’s spirit continues to live on—in the laughter of

her children, the memories of that beautiful smile and hearty laughter, in the lessons she

imparted, and in the love she freely gave. Her journey was always filled with faith, perseverance,

and an unshakable love for those she held dearest. She will be deeply missed and forever

cherished.