Ella Sue Harris Dickinson

Ella Sue Harris Dickinson, age 86, passed away Thursday, November 12, 2009, at Asbury Place of Maryville in Maryville, TN. She was a member of New Providence Presbyterian Church in Maryville. Born on May 18, 1923, in Murray, Kentucky, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Murray State University where she danced, participated in the marching band and orchestra and was a member of Sigma Alpha Iota professional music sorority. Soon after taking her deceased husband's position as band director of Ripley High School, she earned a master’s degree in education at Murray State and completed guidance counselor certification in subsequent years at the University of Tennessee, Martin. After many years of service as a guidance counselor, band and typing teacher, she retired from Lauderdale County Schools. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma teachers’ society. From piano and dance lessons at an early age in Mayfield, KY, she was a devoted musician throughout her career, teaching dance, piano, and band, and serving as choir director at First Presbyterian, First Methodist, and Asbury Methodist churches in Ripley. She was also an active member of the Music Club in Ripley. She leaves two children, Dr. William C. Dickinson of Maryville, TN, and Susan Malone of Hixson, TN; four grandchildren, Susan McClure and Laurel Eldridge of Soddy-Daisy, TN, Curt Dickinson of Atlanta, GA, and Sarah Dickinson of Knoxville, TN; and five great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by parents William Clark Harris and Sarah Elkin Harris and husband William Dickinson. Memorial gifts may be made to the Music Department at Ripley High School in Ripley, TN, New Providence Presbyterian Church in Maryville, TN, or St. Jude's Children’s Hospital (one of her favorite charities). A funeral service will be held at Asbury Place in Maryville, TN, on Saturday, November 14, at 3:00 p.m., with a private burial in Murray City Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 15. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ella Sue Harris Dickinson please visit our Sympathy Store.