Paul Dickerson, Jr. (Jim) was born on December 13, 1939 in
Sanford, Florida to the late Rosa Zimmerman and the later
Paul Dickerson, Sr. In 1957 he graduated from the Blue and
Gold Jersey School for the Deaf and Blind in Trenton, New
Jersey. He continued his education at a vocation school in
Trenton and completed certification in upholstery in 1959. Paul
moved to Gainesville, Florida in 1964. On January 11, 1965, he
married Sarah Mae Banks and had three children (On preceded
him in death, Dennis Singleton). Paul was a hard worker and
he established a firm foundation to support his family. He
was employed for 25 years at Mallard’s Upholstery until he
branched out on his own in 1982 and became an entrepreneur.
He opened Paul’s Upholstery and maintained this business for
25 years. Paul enjoyed sharing his knowledge with others. He
taught vocational classes on upholstery at Santa Fe College in
Gainesville, Florida for several years.
Paul was a believer in Jesus Christ. He openly confessed Jesus
is Lord and he believed in his heart that God raised Jesus from
the dead. He was a dedicated member of the Greater New Salem
Missionary Baptist Church in Gainesville, Florida. He served in
various capacities at the church. He was an usher, teacher in
Sunday school and bible study and was a member of the Deacon
Board. Because of his love for service, in 1997 the Lord placed
upon Paul’s heart to bring a group of men together to form The
Brotherhood Manpower for Christ.
Paul’s presence and wisdom will certainly be missed by his
family and the community. He leaves to cherish his memory:
Sarah B. Dickerson, wife of 60 years, Gainesville, FL; devoted
daughter, Vanessa Dickerson Hicks, Gainesville, FL; son, Johnny
Dickerson III (Sophia), Williston, FL and daughter-in-law,
Dorothy Singleton, Ft. Myers, FL; grandchildren, LaBradford
Thompson (Marissa), Hinesville, GA, Lindsay Woodley,
Williston, FL, Kim Neal, Ft. Myers, FL; great grandchildren,
K’mya Neal, Ft. Myers, FL, Maia and Makhi Gaddy, Hinesville,
GA, Demykal Robinson, II, Williston, FL, Nevaeh Thompson,
Hinesville, GA; sisters, Shirley Bennett, Jasper, FL, Cynthia
Mitchell, New Jersey; sisters-in-law, Lucy Banks, Jacksonville,
FL, Collette B. White (Lawrence), Winter Haven, FL, Gale Banks,
Jacksonville, FL, Melvina Banks, Miami, FL; brothers-in-law,
Virgil Banks (Mary), Gainesville, FL, Charles Banks (Jamesetta),
Jacksonville, FL; special cousins Coy Jackson (Mariam), Illinois,
Denise Jones (James), Starke, FL, Donnie Jackson (Joann),
Starke, FL, Julius Bryant (Tihuana), Gainesville, FL; special
mother, Emma “Nana” Anderson, Ft. Myers, FL; godchildren,
Farris Alexander, Denise Long, Flora Vinson, Lorenzo Williams,
Ashley Welcome, all of Gainesville, FL; and a host of nieces,
nephews, cousins and friend
To send flowers or plant a tree in memory of Paul Dickerson, Jr., visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
4
Oct
727 NW 2nd Street
Gainesville, FL 32601
Service
5
Oct
5707 SW 62 Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32608
Cemetery Details
Location
5907 SW 49 Street
Gainesville, FL 32608
