Marian Faye (Baker) Dickey passed away Monday, January 27, 2025, in a Searcy hospital.
Marian was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who cherished her family dearly. She was born October 9, 1934, in Strawberry, Ark., to Joseph Millard Baker and Hanath Doyle Baker. Marian is survived by her daughter, Rebecca Diane Vaughn-Holsted, and husband, Bruce, of North Little Rock; son-in-law, Larry Bates, of Fayetteville; and was Memaw to three grandchildren, Nicklaus Wayne Vaughn and wife Natalie of Camden, Justin Tyler Bates and wife Stacy of Fort Smith, and Meagan Rebecca Bates Hoyt and husband Eric of Springdale; two step-grandchildren, Justin Holsted and Andrew Holsted and wife Rachel; three great-grandchildren, Neela Vaughn, and Jack and Thomas Hoyt; two step-great-grandchildren Linden and Elliot Holsted; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and her brothers and sisters in Christ.
Marian was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Kathy Jo Lunsford; her husband of 58 years, Eugene L. Dickey; and her daughter, Trisha Lee Bates.
Marian, formerly of Cord and Strawberry, lived a rich, full life, consumed with love for her church, her family and her precious friends. She was a teacher, a caregiver, and a homemaker throughout her life. After graduating from Strawberry High School in May of 1952, she later married Eugene on November 15, 1952, and went on to begin her career, first making stops in a dress factory in Walnut Ridge, and later as an office worker and merchandise record keeper at JC Penney in Pine Bluff. Marian later worked as director of Sixth Avenue Daycare in Pine Bluff for eight years, retiring from that to take care of her grandchildren, and later as a teacher’s aide with the Cord-Charlotte schools for two years. Additionally, Marian worked for Elwood and Wanda Fisher in Walnut Ridge for eight years. Marian was also the past president of the Jefferson County Association for Children Under Six and served as a presenter at conventions for the Arkansas State Association for Children Under Six. She also taught Bible school at her church and served as an advisor for others who were looking to start their own daycare. Following the death of her husband Eugene on July 25, 2011, she began running the family’s farming business.
Visitation will begin at 5 p.m., on Friday, January 31, at Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home. The funeral service will be at Tuckerman Church of Christ on Saturday, February 1, at 10 a.m., with burial to follow at Hopewell Cemetery at Cord. Mr. Wayne Fancher and Mr. J.R. Rosado will serve as ministers. Mr. Gary Lawson will lead prayer.
Pallbearers will be Jay Harvey, Nicklaus Wayne Vaughn, Justin Tyler Bates, Eric Hoyt, Warren Dickey and Dwain Dickey. Honorary pallbearers will be Bruce Holsted, Larry Bates, James Cossey, Jim Fields, and Joey Henderson.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the River Valley Regional Food Bank, 1617 South Zero Street, Fort Smith, AR, 72908.
Arrangements by Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home.
