It
is with deep sorrow and grief that we have had to say
goodbye to one of God's faithful warriors of the Cross.
Brother Dickerson departed this life for the portals of
glory Tuesday, June 6, 2006. He has fought the good fight
of faith; he has run his course with victory and gained
his promised crown. He now enjoys the bliss that awaits
all the pure in heart. The robe of flesh in which his
soul was clothed for some eighty-six years has been laid
aside. All the trials, burdens, and heartaches that he
carried have vanished away. Never again will he have to
suffer pain or affliction. He has moved into the heavenly
phase of God's kingdom called eternity.
Brother Herb Dickerson was born on April 15, 1920, in
West Carlisle, Ohio. He was the son of Joseph D. and Florence
(Barcus) Dickerson. In 1932 the Dickerson family moved
to Jacksontown, Ohio, to look for work. Approximately
a year later, the family moved to Newark, Ohio. Their
home was very close to the Church of God congregation
located at the corner of Sixth and Locust Streets. The
Dickersons felt an emptiness in their hearts and a need
to know God in a personal way. After visiting several
different churches in the neighborhood, they often heard
the beautiful singing coming from the Church of God. As
they heard the joyful singing of the songs of Zion, a
tender chord was struck in their hearts. Young Helen Dickerson
was the first to visit the services. When she came home
after a service, she told her parents and family, "This
is just what we have been searching for!" The following
Sunday, the entire family was in the services and heard
Brother W. A. Wilson proclaim the Gospel. Their hungering
and thirsting for spiritual food was being satisfied.
Brother
Herb Dickerson was called to active duty in the United
States Military and served in the European Theatre. He
was among the many soldiers who invaded Normandy on D-Day,
June 6, 1944. There were hundreds of lives lost in that
battle, but no doubt, God spared this dear brother for
a special reason. God sees the end of our lives from the
beginning and realizes the potential that each soul has
if he or she will only yield to Him.
When
Brother Dickerson returned home after the war, his spiritual
condition was not good. However, the Lord kept His eye
on this young man and began to work with him. In the meantime
he became reacquainted with a dear young lady with whom
he fell in love. Brother Dickerson and Sister Kathryn
Price were married January 2, 1946, with Brother Harry
Craig officiating the ceremony. In just a short while,
Brother and Sister Dickerson came face to face with the
Chief Shepherd and Bishop of their souls. At an altar
of prayer they surrendered their hearts to God and to
His service.
Brother
Dickerson taught a Sunday school class, where he labored
faithfully while under Brother W. A. Wilson's ministry.
Not long afterward, God began to deal with Brother Dickerson
regarding preaching the good news of the Gospel. For a
period of time, he preached wherever he was needed.
Soon
God began to burden Brother Dickerson's heart for the
full-time ministry as a pastor. In 1955 he pastored his
first congregation, located in Goshen, Ohio. Later he
was called to pastor at the Black Run Church of God. In
1966 God saw that the congregation of saints at Medina,
Ohio, was in need of a pastor to lead them. Brother and
Sister C. H. Dickerson followed the call of God and labored
faithfully in that work for forty years, until Brother
Dickerson passed on to his reward. Through their efforts,
many precious souls found their way into the Kingdom of
God through the new birth.
Brother
Dickerson did not shun to declare all the counsel of God
as the Lord revealed it to him. His departing certainly
has left a great void in the Medina congregation and also
in the fellowship of other congregations. However, our
loss is Heaven's gain. He is now enjoying the things that
yet await all those who remain faithful and true to the
cause of God. He is enjoying the fruit of his labors.
In
Brother Dickerson's last few months of affliction, he
often said, "I have nothing to complain about."
His burden was for the congregation in Medina, Ohio, to
stay together in unity. His last message to this dear
congregation was on unity.
To his precious, grieving congregation, let us encourage
you. Although your skies may seem to be very dark at this
time, keep looking up! God has a purpose in all things
that come our way. We may not see the purpose now, but
we will understand it better farther along. The Lord will
not forsake you in this hour of great grief and heartache.
He will make a way for you as He has made a way for others.
Our prayers are with dear Sister Dickerson and the congregation.
We trust that God will grant grace, strength, and comfort
in the days to come.
A funeral service for Brother Dickerson was held at the
Medina Church of God on Wednesday, June 8, 2006, with
Brother Roger L. Decker officiating. A second funeral
service was held at the Church of God at God's Acres on
Saturday, June 10, 2006. The pallbearers were Brothers
Earl R. Borders, Ronald Cummings, George Gordon, Irwin
L. Sesher, Marty Simpson, Daniel Webster and Bernard Wilson.
Brother Dickerson was then laid to rest at Wilson Memorial
Gardens in Newark, Ohio, with full military honors. Brother
Dickerson was a part of D-Day on June 6, 1944. This year,
on the anniversary of when the Battle of Normandy began,
God called our dear brother home at the conclusion of
his last battle.
Brother
Dickerson is survived by his wife of sixty years; daughter,
Sharon Lahmon; sister, Helen Dickerson; and brother, Austin
Dickerson. In addition to his parents, Brother Dickerson
was preceded in death by daughter, Becki Runion; sister,
Blanche Dumm; and brother, Raymond Dickerson.
Some
of Brother Dickerson's favorite Bible verses are found
in Job 23:10-12, which read: "But he knoweth the
way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth
as gold. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept,
and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment
of his lips."
Messages by Brother C. H. Dickerson |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|