of Little Rock, AR
August 6, 1925 - September 11, 2021
Mary Carlice Mathis Dickinson passed away at home on September 11, 2021, surrounded by loved ones. She was 96. Carlice was born on August 6, 1925, in El Dorado, Arkansas, the middle child of the late Dessie Woods and William Mathis, Sr. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lt. Col. Walter M. Dickinson, Sr., her sister Marguerite Mathis Barger and her brother William ''Bill'' Mathis, Jr. When she was 10 years old, the family moved to Little Rock and affiliated with the First Baptist Church in 1935. She graduated from Little Rock High School and ran her brother's business for years until the grandbabies started coming.
Following an adventurous and happy childhood with her parents and siblings, Carlice met Walter Dickinson, her handsome soldier from Worcester, Massachusetts who was stationed at Camp Robinson. They fell in love, got engaged and mother waited for him until he returned from World War II. They married in 1945 and headed to Ouachita Baptist for a year then transferred to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where both attended and daddy got a law degree in 1950. Mother worked in the ticket office at Barnhill Arena and they loved going to Razorback athletic events. They returned to Little Rock and along came Marilyn, Carolyn, and Walt!
From that point on, mother's primary purpose was her children. She taught us about love by taking us to First Baptist Church downtown every Sunday though we were never on time. She ushered us to practices, rehearsals, recitals, games, and all activities, both church, and school. Mother was a wealth of knowledge and encouraged us to do and be anything we wanted and boy did she offer her advice. We finally all married and along came Michelle, Laura, Gates, Walt Mary, and Will!
The teaching, training, counseling, preaching, nursing, chauffeuring, cheerleading, costume designing, and loving intensified. Her grandchildren brought so much joy. She loved them fiercely and their friends too! Then came Lindsey, Scottie, Miller, and Rileigh. Oh my, did she love the littles!
Our mother loved to shop, shop, shop almost every day. On Saturdays you could find her in her favorite stores with Marilyn, Carolyn, and her sister Marguerite, only stopping long enough for lunch with friends. She also loved to cook and entertain. She was a marvelous cook. In addition to feeding our family, she often served 20-30 people on birthdays, holidays, special occasions, and of course, Sunday night dinners.
Not just her grands and greats called her Mamaw, but friends of all ages called her that and she loved them all.
Carlice is survived by her daughter Marilyn Dickinson Miller, her daughter Carolyn Dickinson Owen, her son Walter M. ''Walt'' Dickinson, Jr., and his precious wife DeeDee, whom mother adored. Survivors also include her grandchildren, Michelle Miller Nichols (Larry); Laura Miller Geurin (Scott); Dickinson Gates Smith; Walter M. ''Walt'' III of Vail, Colorado; Mary Alyce Dickinson of Austin, Texas and William Saeler ''Will'' Dickinson of Little Rock. Her precious great-grandchildren are Lindsey and Miller Nichols and Scottie and Rileigh Geurin. Carlice also leaves behind her nephew Johnny Barger and his family, Matt, Elizabeth, Kaylie, and Kase.
Mamaw was a devoted Christian, teacher, preacher, counselor, nurse, chef, hostess, comedian, entertainer and had a special gift for making every person she met feel loved. Since she was in charge of all of us, we will miss her vibrant, feisty, loving spirit tremendously.
Carolyn and Walt want to thank Marilyn for living with and taking care of both mother and daddy for the last 10 years. We are overwhelmed with love for you and gratitude for all that you have done for our family, Marilyn.
The Dickinson family would like to thank Dr. Kenneth Johnston for his excellent care of mother through the years and to all of the dedicated workers at Kindred Hospice, especially Cathy Norris. And a huge thanks to mother's personal nurse, Terry Collins, whom she loved like a daughter.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Arkansas Food Bank, American Heart Association, or a charity of your choice are appreciated.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, September 15th at 10:00 a.m., at Roller Chenal Funeral Home. The funeral will follow at 11:00 and the burial will be at Pinecrest Memorial Park at 1:00 p.m.
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27 Condolence(s)
Donna & Phil Funkhouser
Friday, September 24, 2021
Marilyn, Carolyn, & Walt,
We were so sorry to hear about your Mom. I know Momma can’t wait to see her in Heaven and catch up with all the many years of endless talking they’ve missed! Momma spoke of her often and she truly missed the old First Baptist Church Gang. I can still see them sitting around y’all’s table, laughing and chitchatting until the cows came home! She was a great woman, wife and mom and the best thing about leaving this old Earth is you will all see her again someday! Our prayers and thoughts are with you all. Love you Donna, Phil and family.
Sue Bonaminio
Wednesday, September 15, 2021
Dear Dickinson Family,
I was blessed to have had the opportunity to get to know “Mamawâ€. A wonderful lady -with such a kind and loving heart.
She was one of a kind 🥰
Laura Sholez
Wednesday, September 15, 2021
Marilyn, Carolyn, Gates , I’m so sorry for the passing of your Mother and grandmother. She was such a sweet lady, her smiling face just lit up a room! Oh how much God welcomes that beautiful face in Heaven! Please knows my prayers are with you in comfort during this sad time. Love y’all, Laura and Keith Sholes and Adam Sholes
Ashley Smith
Wednesday, September 15, 2021
What a wonderful woman! Praying for all of you- especially Laura!
Charlie Keener
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
Walt & DeeDee,
I loved reading about your mom.
Our hearts hurt for you and all the family. We know your mom is having a glorious time every moment of every day, but it still hurts until we are all together again.
Blessings,
Charlie & Marilyn
Kim Robertson Smith
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
Heartfelt condolences to you all, what a beautiful tribute. Much love.
Paula Dean Bumpass & Jeff Karwoski
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
Keeping each of you in our thoughts and prayers..
Your Mother will be missed by many and must have been the most adorable person.
Melissa Perez
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
Carolyn and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I know that she lived a wonderful life, full of love and fun with her fabulous family! Her joyous presence with be missed. Love you!
Barbara Dean White
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
Marilyn, So sorry for your loss, i never met your mom but I know she was special because you are, I saw the commercial today with her in it. she was such a pretty lady. GOD be with you and your family thru this stressful time. Love you.
Barbara White
Susan Warrick
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
- [ ] Marilyn, so very sorry to hear of your Mothers passing, I know from our conversations how very much you and your family loved and cared for her and how much that love was reciprocated. She was joining my parents in those front row seats watching those Hogs Saturday night and I am sure I could hear those hog calls from heaven. Your going to miss her greatly but all the prayers and support is what will get you through.
Vickie Smith
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
Walt, Marilyn and family,
I remember working at Dillard's in the china department, years ago, and seeing Marilyn and your Mom shopping away. You were both always so sweet to me! And Walt, your cheering section through your baseball years, was very loyal, with your Mom being your biggest cheerleader...what a beautiful family!!!
Prayers for you all...
Mary Catherine (Kincaid) Faulkner
Monday, September 13, 2021
I am very sorry for your loss. She was a beautiful soul and always had a smile on her face.
Robert Harty
Monday, September 13, 2021
It will always be a fond memory of you as I grew up with your son Walt, when you told we were not going to go “Hunting, Fishing,and Swimming in the River!†You were always there for us no matter what it was. You will be missed. Peace be with you.
Pamela Parrent
Monday, September 13, 2021
The Lady with the spectacular smile that she was always wearing with the grace of an angel, I will always remember her love she gave to all . God will be with her forever. Goodby my friend
Pam & John Cox
Monday, September 13, 2021
Marilyn: John & I send our love and prayers to you in your time of loss! We know you will miss your Mother as you spent so much loving & quality time with her! You were such a wonderful daughterâ¤ï¸Bless you sweet friend gor all the love & care you’ve lavished upon your parents & your family . God bless you allðŸ™ðŸ™â¤ï¸
Jacque Good
Monday, September 13, 2021
Sending love and prayers to all the Dickinson family.
Vicki Draper
Monday, September 13, 2021
Marilyn, Carolyn, Walt, Michelle, and Laura I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of you beautiful Mother and Grand-mother. I am so glad I got to meet her. What a gift she was to all of you. My prayers go out to all of you and the entire Dickinson family.
Cindy Cathey McComb
Monday, September 13, 2021
Sending love and sympathy to your family . MaMaw was such a wonderful lady. We loved visiting and tailgating with her! She had such a beautiful smile and such wisdom! She will be greatly missed, but we all hold many special memories of her in our heart. We loved her. I know my girls also have great love and memories as well. They are sending their love too!
Cindy, Anna, and Sara
Judy McKellips Smith
Monday, September 13, 2021
What a wonderful and full life your mother had. My life was made better by having known her. I know how much you, Carolyn and Walt loved her and your daddy. Marilyn, it makes my heart sad for your loss. The time you spent taking care of your dad and then your mom speaks volumes. Speaking from my own experience, I can truthfully say , you will never regret giving of yourself to have been there to meet their needs. God placed you where you were supposed to be during this time of your life. My heart goes out to you my old friend.
Sharon Gray
Sunday, September 12, 2021
Carlice was ONE OF A KIND! She lived life to the fullest and always tried to find some good in everything. She loved to LAUGH and enjoyed sitting at her dinning room table solving all the worlds problems. I am so Thankful I got to sit at her table for 25 plus years and visit with her. She was always ready to get a cup of coffee and along with some sort of desert and talk for hours. She loved to tell you stories from her child hood and all the things she did. All the hours of listening to her and her sister laugh at the crazy things they did was very entertaining and sometimes educational! She LOVED all her family! Her Grand kids were her pride and joy and then the Great Grand kids. I know all of us will miss her greatly but she would tell us ya'll just need to go on and live your life to the fullest! She always said I don't want ya'll to stay around here and worry about taking care of me go on, I will be fine! Well now she is FINE! She is with JESUS and she has finished the race that she ran extremely WELL!
No goodbye just see ya later my friend! Prayers for all that will miss her dearly!
Sharon Gray
Pat Jones
Sunday, September 12, 2021
Regrets to Walt and the family R.I.P.
Janice Casey
Sunday, September 12, 2021
Carlice, if I could, I would send cookies to heaven just for you in the shape of angels. But I’m thinking that you now have all the cookies you could ever desire, and those heavenly cookies are undoubtedly better than anything I might make. Give Joseph a hug and kiss from me, and keep watching after those Razorbacks for us!
Glory Skinner
Sunday, September 12, 2021
It was an honor to meet this beautiful soul who was very outspoken and lived life to the fullest with so much class. You are leaving a legacy of your work being well done!
Janet Williams
Sunday, September 12, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family as you celebrate lots of wonderful memories and Mrs. Dickinson’s legacy of love and kindness.
Drew Kumpuris
Sunday, September 12, 2021
A wonderful spirited lady. I was fortunate to know her and the entire family. God bless.
Scott and Kim Tatman
Sunday, September 12, 2021
Our condolences to your family. Very sorry for your loss.
Debby Fiser
Sunday, September 12, 2021
Mamaw’s life seemed to be the very definition of joy. And she spread it to everyone she met and inspired us with the fullness of life. We will all miss her. I can only smile imagining that she had a front row seat in Heaven to watch the Hogs game last night.