John Paul Dickerson was born on November 12th, 1937, to Paul Emanuel and Elizabeth Huffman Dickerson in Okolona, Arkansas and transitioned from this Earth into the presence of the Lord peacefully on May 16, 2026.
John Paul lived a long, happy life of eighty-eight years; a beloved husband, father and grandfather, a friend to all who knew him and willing to help any neighbor in need at any time. Living on Dickerson Rd throughout his childhood, he was surrounded by the farmland land that would be his longest lasting companion. John Paul grew up learning the ropes of farming from his father, who had learned from his father before him. Another constant in his life was his lifelong faith and attendance at Center Grove Methodist Church in Gurdon, Arkansas. He graduated from Okolona High School in 1955 and began his career soon after.
He loved his farm and investing in the farm community in Okolona where he lived his entire life. He started his farm with the purchase of 160 acres in 1957, while simultaneously working, first at the Tectum plant and then Fafnir. In 1986, John Paul moved into a position he kept the rest of his days: a full-time farmer, devoting his time and effort to raising cattle and eventually adding raising chickens to the mix in 1994.
In 1960, he married his wife of over 60 years, Cornelia Rose Hickey at Center Grove Methodist, and in 1966 they expanded their family with their first and only child, Tim. Beloved partners until her passing in 2021, John Paul and Cornelia were each other’s biggest supporters; on any given day, you could find John Paul helping with deliveries at Cornelia’s flower shop or Cornelia driving the hay truck back on the farm. Eventually their family was expanded again with the addition of their grandchildren, Brittney, Christopher and Katy, and no “Papa” has been more loved and adored.
John Paul valued nothing more than spending his days with his family on his land, eventually earning the title of Clark County Farm Family of the Year in 2000. He spent his later years working side by side on his farm with his son Tim, bringing full circle a tradition that started generations before them. He was quick to tell anyone how proud his family made him, and they would, in turn, tell you that they were just as proud to have him in their lives.
John Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Elizabeth, his wife of over 60 years, Cornelia, his older sister Margaret Casteel, his brother in laws, James McCorkle and Johnnie Casteel, and niece Lisa Casteel.
He leaves behind a family that will grieve the loss of his steady presence; his son Tim Dickerson of Okalona; grandchildren Brittney (Mark) Dickerson-Vining of Hot Springs, Christopher Dickerson of Nashville, TN, and Katy (Cole) Crumpler of Camden; great-granddaughters Elizabeth and Bonnie Crumpler; sister-in-law Rita McCorkle, and nephews and nieces.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Center Ridge Cemetery, c/o Belinda Whitlock, 1480 South Fork Road Gurdon, Arkansas 71743.
Visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at Center Grove Methodist Church in Okolona, Arkansas.
Funeral services will follow immediately after starting at 2:00 p.m. with Bro. Ron Grigsby, Bro. Rusty Jones, Tim Dickerson, and Bro. Donnie Deaton officiating. Burial will be at Center Ridge Cemetery under the direction of Brazzel-Oakcrest Funeral Home The Funeral Home of Hope, Ben Brazzel, Director.