R.B. Dickerson

R.B. Dickerson, 86, of Merryville, Louisiana, passed away peacefully in his home on Wednesday, March 9, 2022.

He was born July 15, 1935, in Silsbee, Texas, to Dee and Bertie Dickerson.  Soon after, the family relocated to Merryville, the town R.B. called home for the rest of his life.

R.B. will be remembered for his jovial spirit, loving nature, and as a man who thoroughly enjoyed the art of conversation. He lived a full life, serving as a foster parent, building a successful career in the oil field, and enjoyed fishing, traveling, shooting, playing dominoes, cheering on the LSU Tigers and New Orleans Saints, and spending time with his family and friends.

At the age of 18, R.B. began working in the oil field. Over the course of the decades to follow, he built a legacy that is unmatched, serving in every position of drilling both overseas and across the country. The wealth of knowledge he accumulated throughout his career, combined with his passion and dedication, made him one of the most respected men in his field, and the reason he was consulted by major operations well into his 70s. His knowledge of both offshore and onshore drilling via the utilization of fishing tools to repair wells made him the man to call when there was a problem no one else could solve.

When he wasn’t hard at work, R.B. loved traveling with the Texana Travelers camping group alongside his loving wife of 25 years, Delores Dickerson. The couple made treasured friendships and countless memories during their travels, and the miles made coming home to “The Sand Ridge” that much sweeter. The pair were active members of New Life Baptist Church, where R.B.’s naturally quick smile and wit welcomed everyone who walked through the doors when he served as greeter.

R.B. is survived by his wife of 26 years, Delores Dickerson; his daughter, Sarai Dickerson Rodgers, and husband, Kevin of Maumelle, AR; stepchildren Lisa Fowler Moore of Midlothian, TX; Tim Fowler, and wife, Connie, of New River, AZ; and daughter-in-law, Marti Fowler of Tomball, TX.

He is also survived by his sister, Gail Terrell, and husband, Ira Gene, of Merryville, LA; brother, Jim (Jimbo) H. Dickerson of DeRidder, LA, and a host of brothers-in-laws, sisters-in-laws, nieces, nephews, friends, and colleagues.

R.B. will be greatly missed by his grandchildren, Robert Rodgers, and wife, Jessica of Monroe, LA; Candice Hillman, and husband, Justin of Prairieville, LA; step grandchildren Joshua Moore and wife, Keri of Palestine, TX; Justin Moore and wife, Cayla, of Hutto, TX; Amanda Fincher, and husband, Mike of Midlothian, TX; Taylor Fowler-Cuevas, and husband, Jose of DeRidder, LA; Tiffany and Cassie Fowler of Tomball, TX; Andy Fowler of Tomball, TX; A.J. Fowler and wife, Jamie of Sulphur, LA, and Jacob Tipton of New River, AZ; Great grandchildren Asher and Ronan Hillman, step great grandchildren Jameson and Whitney Moore, Randilyn and Jakob Moore, Emma, Parker, and Edmond Fincher, Oakley and Milo Cuevas, and Faith, Hope and Charity Fowler.

R.B. is preceded in death by his high school sweetheart, Ervaline Dickerson, after forty-two years of marriage; their two little angel babies; his parents, Bertie and Dee Dickerson; brother, J.D. Dickerson; grandson, Christopher Scott Rodgers; sister-in-law Helen Dickerson; stepson Alan Fowler; and stepson-in-law, John Moore.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 13, 2022, at New Life Baptist Church in DeRidder, LA from 1:00pm until time of service 3:00pm. Brother Keith Manual and Brother Keeton Blakeney will officiate the service. Pallbearers will be Robert Rodgers, Justin Hillman, Jeron Treme, Webb Stark, Joshua Moore, Justin Moore, and Mike Fincher. Honorary Pallbearers include Ira Gene Terrell and Craig Midkiff. Burial will immediately follow the service at Merryville Cemetery in Merryville, LA.

The Dickerson family would like to express unending gratitude to Dr. Granger, Dr. Bergeron, Dr. Siddiq, Brighton Bridge Hospice, Companion Care, Gail and Ira Gene Terrell, Lisa Moore, Tim and Connie Fowler, Craig and Tammie Midkiff, and the many others who contributed to their care and safety.

R.B.’s favorite charities were American Cancer Society, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, and New Life Baptist Church.