Betty Dickerson Burns

Obitu

Betty Louise Burgett Dickerson Burns passed away on December 31, 2024 at the age of 99. She was born on February 26, 1925 on Boothill in Dodge City, Kansas to Charles and Jessie Burgett.

Betty grew up in Hutchinson and McPherson, Kansas and moved to Shreveport in 1946 when she married Olan Dickerson of Winnfield, La. They had 3 children. Michael, Michele and Mark. Mark died tragically at the age of 15 in a car accident. After a long and loving marriage “Dick” passed away in 1992. She met Kurvis Burns while attending First Presbyterian Church. Betty and Kurvis found a connection in each other they had been missing and they married in 2000. The Burns family became another extension of family for her.

She is survived by her children Michael Dickerson and Michele Dickerson McManus, and her grandchildren Stephen Dickerson (Mary) of Alexandria, Virginia, Sally Dickerson of Shreveport, Louisiana and Laura McManus Centers (Erin) of Black Mountain, North Carolina. She has 3 great grandchildren, Lauren Dickerson, James and William Centers. Extended family includes Ann Dickerson, Yvonne Burns-Paddie, Carl Burns, and Fallon Burns-Owen.

Included in Betty’s close circle is the Reuter family. In 1995, Betty hosted Carsten Reuter, an exchange student from Germany. Carsten became a member of the family and included Betty in his family as well. The Reuter family hosted Betty in Germany and also visited the US. Carsten was able to visit as recently as this past August and Betty was thrilled to see him.

Betty valued education and continued her education receiving her BA from Centenary and Masters in Education from LSU. She was a teacher in Caddo Parish for 20 years, touching many lives. She had a gift for teaching reading to those who struggled to learn and continued using this gift for years to come.

She was proud of her service as a community volunteer. She was active in the First Presbyterian Church where she taught Sunday school, became an elder, and a circle chairman. She was honored to receive the Presbyterian Woman’s Life Membership award. She received several honors for her work with Literacy Volunteers of America where she taught adult literacy and became a program coordinator. Betty received the State Literacy Volunteer award for making a Difference in 1996. She was active in AARP and could be seen guiding tours with Dick at City Hall.

Betty walked graciously and quietly through life, but made a difference in the lives of the people she met. She would want people to know that she loved God and her family. She loved all children and would listen to them read and read to them up until her last days. She is remembered for her love of nature, especially birds, flowers, and the clouds in the sky. She will be greatly missed.

Her family would like to express their thanks to her sitters Sharonda Anderson, Maria Johnson, Valerie Mayfield, Susan Overstreet, Patricia Robinson, and Christina Taylor and all that cared for her at the Savannah at the Oaks. She loved you all.

Her memorial will be included in the quarterly ceremony at the Oaks of Louisiana on April 9, 2025 at 2:00pm. There will be a family graveside service in Winnfield, LA at a later date.

Donations can be made to Jerusalem Cemetery Association PO Box 2591 Crystal Beach, TX 77650

ary to follow.