Beatrice Oma Dickerson Thomasson

Beatrice Oma Dickerson Thomasson was born on Saturday, November 1, 1924, at her family home near Hwy 21 in Hamptonville, NC. She was one of four children (Hubert, Beatrice, Junior, and Dorothy) born to Oma Pinnix and Abraham Columbus Dickerson. 

Times were hard during the Depression, but her father worked as a mechanic for the school bus garage, and they were able to get by with his little income. She recalled many in the community did not have jobs and her parents often shared with those in need. 

As she grew up, she attended a one-room schoolhouse next door and went to church at Hanes Grove Methodist Church, where she accepted Christ. She attended Hamptonville School and West Yadkin School, where she was a star basketball player. In high school, she met and fell in love with Leon Furches Thomasson. They eloped to York, SC, on September 21, 1943.

During the first three years of their marriage, they lived with Leon’s parents, Irma and Stowe Thomasson, on Twin Holly Farm, the family dairy farm. As soon as they could, they began building a house next door.

Her life was a testament to her love for her family, as she dedicated her days to caring for them. She spent many years rising early to milk cows, cook, and care for her husband and four children (Wayne, Ava, Anita, and Jody). She loved to work in the yard, tending to her large vegetable and flower gardens, pulling weeds and mowing grass. For many years, she served on the flower committee at Zion Baptist Church and proudly decorated the sanctuary with the flowers from her garden. It was a joy for mom to do this act of service. In between all the yardwork, she found the time to wash and double clothes, iron, sew, and keep a clean house. She was anything but lazy.

Bea’s hands worked hard creating delicious meals that everyone loved. From her homemade chocolate pound cake to her coleslaw, from her fresh tomato or corn soup served over fresh homemade biscuits to her famous pecan pies, Bea’s cooking was a source of joy. Her hands fed many a person, and she could figure out a meal in a matter of minutes. 

Not only did Bea use her hands to do chores, tend to gardens, and cook delicious meals, but she also used her hands to sew. Early on, sewing was a necessity, and she made garments for herself and her two daughters. Later in life, she began sewing for fun. Her six handmade, queen-sized cathedral window quilts were among her most treasured creations. In 2007, she made quilts for each grandchild and great-grandchild, 17 in all!

As a mother, she lovingly cared for four children, seven granddaughters, three grandsons, thirteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Her devotion to her family was unwavering. As a wife, she cared for Leon until his passing on May 11, 2001. They spent 57 years together on Twin Holly Farm, a testament to their enduring love. 

During Bea’s 80 years on the farm, life brought many joys and heartbreaks. Bea dealt with numerous ear infections that led to hearing loss; there were fires on the farm and a fire in the house. After Leon died, quilting became a way to pass her time and ease her mind. In her later years, arthritis took its toll, and the many ways she had used her hands to bring joy and comfort to others were affected. Yet, even till the end, she would still offer out her hands to share a hug. 

Years ago, we heard a story where a grandma tells a little girl how important it is to use one’s hands. “When you move them by sewing, cooking, painting, touching the earth or sinking into the earth, they send signals of caring to the deepest part of you and your soul calms down.”

As the story comes to an end, the grandma says, “Everything that is made by hand… is made with the heart because it really is like this: hands and heart are connected.” How true. Mom’s love for us, those around us, and this world came through her hands as she served us. Her last words were, “Do good and everything will work out.” We are thankful for how she used her hands and heart to “do good” for all of us. We are all impacted by her example, and we will always remember the many ways she used her hands and heart to share her love.

Rest in peace mom. You will be forever and always in our hearts.

“Among the best things we can give each other are good memories.” Henri Nouwen.

Beatrice Oma Dickerson Thomasson passed away on August 9th 2024.

She was preceded in death by her husband Leon Furches Thomasson, her son, Wayne Furches Thomasson, his wife, Sybil Somers Thomasson, her brothers Hubert and Junior Dickerson, and her sister, Dorothy Dickerson Dobbins.

Surviving are her beloved children: Ava Thomasson Lewandowski (Ed), Anita Thomasson Kernodle (Jim) and Joseph (Jody) Leon Thomasson (Joy), her grandchildren, Jill Thomasson, Tracy Thomasson, Leah Lewandowski Lightner, April Lewandowski, Jimmy Kernodle, Natalie Kernodle Watson, Amanda Kernodle Watling, Blair Kernodle Scheepers, Morgan Thomasson Sales, and Andrew Thomasson. In addition, she is survived by thirteen great grandchildren, and one great, great grandchild.

A memorial service is being planned for what would have been Bea’s 100th birthday, November 1, 2024, 2:00 pm, at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Hamptonville, NC.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trellis Supportive Care Foundation.

Gentry Family Funeral Service in Yadkinville is serving the Thomasson family.