Betty Lou Dickey's Obituary
Betty Lou Dickey of Mount Dora, Fla., died April 5, 2017, after a lengthy illness. She was 85.
Born Dec. 14, 1931, in Lovely, Ky., she was the daughter of Montraville and Lillian Davis Preston. She is survived by her daughter, Beth Dickey; her son and daughter-in-law, Monte C. and Jamie Anderson Dickey; two grandchildren; and her beloved Yorkie, Jamie.
Her husband, Gilbert J. Dickey; her brother, Larry D. Preston; and three half-brothers, Richard, George and Paris Preston, preceded her in death.
Mrs. Dickey was a retired real estate broker and accountant. She was the first woman to be certified as a public accountant in the state of West Virginia, and operated her own accounting business in Williamstown, W.Va., in the 1970s and 1980s. She relocated in 1985 to Florida, where she worked as a broker with Jordan Realty in Satellite Beach through the 1990s.
Mrs. Dickey enlisted in the Women's Army Corps in 1949 and served as a supply clerk in the 9400th Technical Service Unit, Signal Corps, Women's Army Corps Detachment, at Fort Monmouth, N.J., until her honorable discharge in 1950.
Mrs. Dickey graduated from Ashland High School in Ashland, Ky., in 1949. She earned a bachelor's degree from Marietta College, where she achieved Phi Beta Kappa status for academic excellence. She earned a master's degree in business administration from Ohio University in Athens.
She enjoyed painting, sketching and ocean cruising. She was obsessed with elephants, and built a spectacular collection of more than 2,200 figurines over her lifetime.
In her later years, Mrs. Dickey battled and beat breast cancer and lung cancer. Her final challenge was a blood disorder that progressed to acute leukemia. Her final request was for donations, in lieu of flowers, to cancer research so that others might not suffer in the future.
A celebration of life is scheduled for 3-6 p.m. Sunday, April 23, at the Sullivan Ranch Clubhouse, 30450 Bretton Loop, Mount Dora.
A second celebration of life is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. Monday, April 24, in the second floor Great Room of Andrews Hall at Marietta College, 215 Fifth St.
A Third Celebration of life service will be held in Kentucky from 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, April 25, in the chapel at Rose Hill Burial Park, 3801 13th St., Ashland.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on the tribute wall.
Services have been entrusted to Steverson Hamlin and Hilbish Funerals and Cremations, Tavares, FL.
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