Picto Diary - 28 to 31 July 2023 - Alma Jewel Dickerson, Graveside Service

LSDM Friday colloquium. Wasatch Bagel, Park City, UT. 28 July 2023.

PGA/MyBelle scion McGhee updates on his dog whistle business. Lottsa positive feedback on yesterday's AI presentation by Dan Treasure. LSDM round table overflow.

Above: Mynduveroan's riding event ribbons. Park City, UT. 28 July 2023.

Above: Don's Steakhouse, Pocahantas, Arkansas. 29 July 2023.

Children and grandchildren of Alma Jewel Dickerson meet at lunch prior to Alma Jewel's interment service at Imboden, AR Cemetery.

Above: Margaret Taylor. Imboden, AR Cemetery. 29 August 2023.

Margaret Dickerson Taylor, daughter of Alma Jewel Dickerson, delivers a eulogy for her mother (August 17, 1926 - July 25, 2023). Among Margaret's comments, "I didn't realize until later in life that Mom was a perfectionist. One example of this was how she kept my dad's service uniforms in top shape. The day before, she would sprinkle the uniform with water, then put the uniform in the fridge. The next day, she would take the uniform out of the refrigerator and iron it. Dad's uniforms were the spiffiest on the base."

Son, Marshall Dickerson, in his eulogy, gave an anecdote about his mother's persistence and determination. It seems that when living in Connecticut, while employed at Westover Air Force Base, MA, Bill concluded that his wife was driving one of the two family cars too much while he was at work. The family didn't have a lot of money and expenditures needed to be reined in. One time, Bill stealthily removed the distributer cap to prevent his wife from driving the car during the day while he was at work. When Mom found out that the car wouldn't work, she approached Marshall, only eleven at the time, and asked him to determine what was wrong with the inoperative vehicle. Marshall looked at the car, deduced immediately what the problem was and told his mom that the distributor cap was missing. "Can we find a new distributor cap," Mom asked Marshall? "Yep," Marshall replied, though he was a bit worried about colluding with his mom to do something that his dad might not approve of. Notwithstanding, Marshall accompanied his mom to the autoparts store, and purchased the required distributor cap. For months, Alma Jewel would drive the car during Bill's absence, and remove the newly purchased distributor cap each time she finished driving. Per Marshall, for months his dad was always puzzled by the fact that the car seemed to have less fuel in it than he thought it should have.

In addition to sixteen family members, eight or nine members from the Pocahantas LDS Church branch were in attendance at the interment service, including LDS branch president, Charles Ring. President Ring ably presided at the service and conveyed in strong terms the LDS branch's love for Alma Jewel. President Ring commented on Alma Jewel's talent playing the organ. President Ring recounted an exchange he had with Alma Jewel during a recent visit he made to her nursing home. Alma, he said, told him she wanted to be home. "You are home, Alma," said President Ring. "I want to be in Arkansas," said Alma. "You are in Arkansas," responded President Ring. "That's good," said Alma. The LDS sisters present took charge of preparing Mom/Grandma for burial and bringing down her veil before the casket was closed at the beginning of the interment service. Alma's grandson, Jake Taylor, gave the prayer dedicating the grave. Son-in-law, Steve Taylor, led the assembled group in singing an opening hymn, "Where Should I Turn for Peace."

Above: Siblings, children of Alma Jewel and Billy G. Dickerson. Marshal, Tony and Margaret. Imboden Cemetery, 29 July 2023.

Three other siblings not in attendance: Peggy (deceased), Allan (undergoing daily medical procedures which required that he remain in Connecticut), and Patti, (unable to attend).

It is unfortunate that Allan, who had supervised the management of his mother's affairs and of her housing arrangements over the last few years, was unable to attend today's service for medical reasons. He was good to collaborate with and provide guidance to Margaret who was onsite in charge of the burial arrangements.

Above: Three of Alma Jewel Dickerson's twenty grandchildren. Imboden, Cemetery. Imboden, Arkansas. 29 July 2023.

In image: Thomas (Tony), Phoebe (Margaret), and Bill (Tony).

Sadly, funerals are often the only time when cousins can get together. Seven cousins present: Lisa (Peggy); Phoebe and Jake (Margaret); Jesse (Marshall); Thomas and Bill (Tony); Alex (Patty).

Above: Bishop and Koessler. Waffle House, Jonesboro, AR. 30 July 2023.

Iconic American breakfast! No girl fights broke out in the restaurant while we were there.

Above: Phoebe, Margaret, Jake, and Steve. DFW Airport. 30 July 2023.

Eight departure gate changes (gate change announcements come in on our email) for American Airlines, DFW to SLC, red eye, 10:30 PM. At the time of our arrival at DFW coming from Memphis, we went from the arrival C terminal to the Admiral's Club at the A terminal, nearest the then advertised departure gate. That meant a train ride of some ten minutes. After eating at the A terminal Admiral's Club, we found our departure gate had been switched back to the C terminal, so we took another train ride to get back to the newly certified departure gate where we are seated in this image. As my friend, The Pope, says, "if you're going to travel by air these days more often than not there will be a glitch of some kind. Grin and bear it seems the best strategy."

On the second DFW inter terminal train ride, the ride back to the C terminal, we boarded a crowded train car and maneuvered towards the "special needs" seats. Two younger people, occupying the designated seats, immediately stood and offered us geezers the seats, which we took, offering gracious thanks as we took the seats. I was pretty impressed with this, particularly following an experience a couple of weeks ago.

Following a pre-concert dinner at the Park City St. Regis Hotel TIMDT and Mwah (sic) and another couple (friends) followed two young forty something couples and five or six kids, five to fourteen, onto the funicular. I was in the lead of our group of four. I had TIMDT by the hand and wanted to find her a seat. In fact, there was one seat open amidst the seated kids, and I maneuvered her successfully to take it. As I was doing so, one of the fathers looked at me and said, "why don't you wait for the next funicular." The car was near full, but well within its posted carrying capacity. I ignored the obnoxious fellow as I successfully steered TIMDT to the open seat. My friend heard the father's audacious remark and responded loudly enough for the entire car to hear, as he continued with his wife into the car, "look at those kids occupying all of those seats with older folk made to stand." One of the mom's sheepishly asked her kids to scoot over and make more seats available to those older folks who might find it difficult to stand.

Judging from the two above cited experiences, old protocols of courtesy and respect for elders are not dead, but neither are they universally honored.

Addendum:

Dear Steve and Margaret,

Please accept our sympathy at the loss of Margaret’s dear mother.

Kate and Ken,
Salt Lake City, UT

Steve, I am saddened to hear of the death of Margaret's mother. Please accept my deepest condolences. I am struck by these long-lived LDSers.

All the best, John
Montreal, Quebec