Hazaniel "Dickey Bird" Dickens

“Dickey Bird” Galatians 6:9 “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Hazaniel Dickens was born into time on August 31, 1932 to the union of William Taft and Lou Emma Jones Dickens at Beech Creek in Gurdon, Arkansas. He was the only son and grew up as the protector and big brother of his six sisters. He would become known to everyone as “Dickey Bird“. Hazaniel gave his life to Christ at a young age and was a member of Providence A.M.E Church in Kansas, Arkansas. He was educated in Gurdon and was a 1949 graduate of Gurdon Colored School. On September 11, 1956 at the age of 24 he traveled to Seattle, Washington and enlisted in the United States Navy. The start of his military career began aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt as a wardroom supervisor, wardroom mess storekeeper, and as the galley captain. It is recorded that his many year of experience in the food management field resulted in an efficient galley operation. He took his military career very serious. His amiable nature made him well liked by all his shipmates. He worked as a Purchasing Supervisor at the Naval Air Station, Cecil Field in Jacksonville, Florida. He was known to be very conscientious and accurate in the performance of his assigned duties. His military behavior always reflected that of a truly dedicated petty officer. While in the Navy he received several honors, medals and commendations including: a Citation for Meritorious Service, the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal w/bronze star, Vietnam Service Medal w/one star and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal w/device. He was honorably discharged on November 5, 1972. On August 1, 1982 after having served faithfully and honorably was retired from the United States Navy. “Dickey Bird” later moved back to Gurdon in 1978. He regularly attended Carrie Street Church of God in Gurdon. He was a big man in stature and in heart. Hazaniel was well respected and was always the life of the party. He was a one of the coolest, outgoing, tenacious, patient, straight forward and down to earth men that lived. Outspoken, Hazaniel “meant what he said and said what he meant”. There was never a dull moment when he was around and he never met a stranger. He will most be remembered by his style, charisma, smile, generosity and infectious laugh. On Saturday, November 17, 2012, in his 80th season of life he passed into the Lord’s embrace. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Eula Mae Robinson. Because love is far greater than death, Hazaniel departs this earth in body only. Those left to celebrate his life are his son Hazaniel Gregory of Jacksonville, FL; his sisters, Pearl Anna Jenkins of Detroit, MI, Murthrue Penney of Arkadelphia, AR, Delores Dumas of Beaumont, TX, PreElla (Earnest) Romar of Beaumont, TX and Emma Cooks of Gurdon, AR; two step sisters Effie Hardeman and Mattie Mae Christopher both of Waldo, AR; his special children: Barbara Penney, Talitha (Greg) Harvell, Tatrina McClelland and Tareze Williams all of Gurdon, Arkansas. He also leaves a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Mr. Dickens will lie in repose at the funeral home on Friday, November 23, 2012 from 2:00 until 6:00 p.m. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, November 24, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Kingdom Authority Christian Ministries where Rev. Quintin Radford is the pastor. Rev. Ivory Curry the pastor of Carrie Street Church of God will serve as the celebrant. The committal service and final resting place will be in Kansas Cemetery. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.