Bonham, Texas -- Funeral services for Darlene Stahl Dickey Hancock, age 95, of Bonham, will be held Tuesday, November 10, 2009. The family will receive friends at Wise Funeral Home at 1:00 PM and a graveside will follow at 2:00 PM in Willow Wild Cemetery. A Memorial Service honoring her life will take place at 3:00 PM at First United Methodist Church in Bonham. Rev. Tom Medley and Rev. Liz Talbert will officiate. Darlene passed away Sunday, November 8, 2009 at Bonham Nursing Center.
Darlene was born September 15, 1914 in Bonham, Texas the only child of Herschel G. Stahl and Lillie Mae Lowe Stahl. She attended schools in Bonham and worked, loved and served in this community all of her life. In 1932 she went to work in the law office of Cunningham & Lipscomb and was employed there until 1942, at which time she went to work for the Draft Board (Selective Service) until May, 1946.
Darlene returned to the law office of Cunningham, Lipscomb & Cole from 1946-1951. She then chose to join the staff of Sam Rayburn Memorial Veteran’s Center in the Special Services division where she remained until her retirement in Sept. 1979. While there she was often asked to play the piano in the chapel for numerous gatherings. She was an active volunteer with the American Heart Association here for 12 years, serving as Memorial Chairman for Fannin County. She was also active in the Cancer Society for several years. She enjoyed involvement with the Fannin County Critters. Darlene served as part of the Care Corps of the First United Methodist Church of Bonham, where she has been an active member for almost 90 years.
She married John Stanley Dickey in 1947 and they were married 22 years at his death in 1969. She later married Clyde Hancock (now deceased). She was also preceded in death by four step-sons, Dr. Billy Terry, Jack Terry, Kenneth Dickey and Stanley Dickey
She is survived by:
Daughter: Martha Lou (Dickey) Nevill of Hot Springs, AR
Daughters-in-law: Dorothy Dickey of Los Angeles, California
Nancy Terry of Hot Springs Village
Grandchildren: Bill Terry, Johnny Terry, Tim Terry, Melanie Terry Todd, Pat Terry Walley, Terry Nevill, Traci Thrash, Tony Nevill, Mike Dickey and Noni Ruth Dye
Cousins: Sandra Mills, Gradene Howard and Shirley McRae
Numerous great grandchildren, cousins and a host of great friends.
Pallbearers will be Gene Danner, Roosevelt Ross, Jesse Walley, Stephen Walley, John Terry, Matthew Todd, Zack Todd, Daniel Terry and Aaron Terry. Honorary pallbearers will be the Builders Sunday School Class of First United Methodist Church.
Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church in Bonham. Online guest register is available at www.wisefuneralhome.com