Helen Cornelia Dickson

Helen Cornelia Ratliff Dickson peacefully passed from this earth to her heavenly home on April 27, 2016, at the grand age of 96. She was born on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1919, in Cumby, Texas, to Lela Chaffin and Joseph Edward Ratliff, Sr. Helen grew up in Commerce and Memphis, Texas, graduating from Commerce High School with honors and from East Texas State University with Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees.

Helen began teaching at a very early age and remained a highly-respected and well-loved English, history, and business teacher in the public schools of Texas for 42 years, retiring in 1985. Thirty-three of those years were in Commerce. Teaching was her lifeblood and joy; her influence is felt by generations of former students who love and respect her for her kindness, her knowledge, and her love of literature, language, and business.

Helen married L. G. Dickson on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1942, shortly before L.G. was deployed overseas during World War II. They were married for 62 years until his death in 2005.

Helen’s love of learning, her faith in God, her love for her children and grandchildren, and her kindness were the staples of her life. She is survived by Lea Anne DeVega of Plano, Kathy Johns and husband Carl, of Dallas, as well as grandsons Daniel Joseph Edward DeVega of McKinney and Christopher Dickson Garrett of Arlington, Texas. She is predeceased by her husband, L. G. Dickson, her parents, her brother, J.E. Ratliff, Jr., and granddaughter, Kathryn Leigh Garrett.

Helen’s favorite color is red. The family encourages everyone to wear red to the service and visitation! Visitation for Helen is Sunday, May 1, at Jones-Walker & Son Funeral Home, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Services for this grand lady will be on Monday, May 2, at 11:00 a.m., at First United Methodist Church in Commerce, with burial to follow at Rosemound Cemetery.

The family requests that memorial gifts be given to First United Methodist Church of Commerce, The Alumni Scholarship Fund at Texas A&M University Commerce, or to the Commerce Public Library.

Pallbearers will be Daniel DeVega, Christopher Garrett, Jim Peek, Brian Ratliff, Greg Ratliff and Byron Titus.

Interment service follows church service.