Graveside services for Sammie Leah Dickerson Ballard, 86, of Leland will be at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23, 2022 at Leland-Stoneville Cemetery. She passed away Sunday, November 20, 2022 surrounded by her family. There will be a visitation at Boone Funeral Home from 3:00-4:00 p.m. on Wednesday prior to the graveside services.
Sammie was born on June 1, 1936 in Clarksdale, Mississippi to Samuel David Dickerson and Freddie Williams Dickerson. She moved to Greenville at a young age and graduated from Greenville High School in 1954 where she was named Miss Greenville High School, Most Beautiful, homecoming queen and class favorite. Fourteen days after graduating from high school she married the love of her life, Fred, and they celebrated 68 years of marriage on June 14. They lived in Leland where they farmed Adendale and raised their children.
Sammie enjoyed spending time with her family. She loved being outside and tending to her zinnia garden. She was an amazing cook and her home was always open for family and friends.
She was a member of the Leland First Baptist Church.
Sammie was preceded in death by her parents, sister Doris Dickerson Mooney, brother David Dickerson and infant son. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Fred, and their children, daughter Kim Jackson and husband Cameron of Gloster, Leah Turner of Leland and Bo Ballard of Leland, her grandchildren Ballard Mann and husband Josh of Greenwell Springs, LA, Ben Turner and wife Neichole of Boyle and Jane Aden Burton and husband Hays of Inverness, great grandchildren Jack Mann, Cammie Mann, Averie Turner, Mollie Turner and Sarah Hays Burton. She is also survived by sister Patty Dickerson Smith of Greenville and her beloved dog, Baby Doll.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Leland First Baptist Church or a charity of your choice.