Ms. Ella L. Dickerson

The Story of Ella (Ella l. Dickerson) Hey everyone, I’m Ella. Ella L. Dickerson. But before I was Ella Dickerson, I was Ella L. Williams. I was born on March 24, 1932, in Wynne, Arkansas, to Regusta and Granville Williams Sr. I was the oldest of my siblings by twelve years, so being the big sister came naturally to me. Growing up, they called me Peewee and Tuga. My siblings were Granville Williams Jr., Gwendolyn Ballard, Joyce Hill Coley (Emanuel), Reginald Gatlin (Jan), Artis Baldwin, Joe Baldwin, Gladys Baldwin, Era Burns, Roise Baldwin, Margaret Orbsy, Isaac Baldwin (Gwen), and Brownette Baldwin (Savannah) I finished school after eighth grade. Now, before some of you younger folks start looking surprised, remember I was born in 1932. Back then, twelve years of school wasn’t always required or possible. Life had lessons of its own, and I learned plenty of them. I learned how to work, take care of myself and the people around me, make something out of what I had, and keep moving when life got hard. I may not have spent twelve years sitting in a classroom, but life educated me just fine. Judging by how things turned out, I’d say I learned pretty well. Then came my children. In 1955, I became a mother to my oldest son, Thompson Love Jr. In 1957 came my only daughter, Lynda Anderson (Ronnie), and in 1962, my baby boy, Eric Williams (Lisa). Those three children started a family that would eventually become much bigger, louder, and more colorful than I probably ever imagined. For a time, life took me to Milwaukee, where I lived with my sisters Gwendolyn and Joyce. In 1970, I came back down from Milwaukee to help my cousin, Lee Oates Sr., establish his business, Thriftway Cleaners. I thought I was coming home to help family and get some work done, but life had something else waiting for me too. It was through Thriftway Cleaners that I met Lee F. Haynes, the love of my life. Lee became my partner, helped me raise my children, and became the kind of grandfather our grandchildren could always count on. I couldn’t have asked for a better man to build a family with. Somewhere between raising children, working, and handling whatever life put in front of me, I became a businesswoman myself. I went on to establish and operate Ella’s Thriftway Cleaners throughout Kansas City, with locations at 45th and Paseo, 26th and Prospect, 29th and Prospect, 36th and Prospect, and 70th and Prospect. I built my businesses during a time when being a Black woman in business meant you had better know how to stand your ground, and anybody who knew me knows standing my ground was never really a problem. Then came my grandchildren: Kevin Madge, Walter (Diane) Taylor, Terrance Taylor sr., Thomasean Broom, Nichole Harstad, Ericka Williams, Amber Williams, Eric Williams Jr., Evan Williams, Larry “Rat,” Raymone, Keilon, Maquiwa, Anthony, Deatrice, Billy, Marleina, Shana, Devin, and Rodney. Every one of them came with a different personality. Some listened to me, some acted like they were listening, and some had to go out into the world and find out the hard way that Grandma had already told them exactly what was going to happen. Yes, I told you. Kevin was especially close to me because I helped raise him as my own. And even at 89 years old, I was still passing things down. I helped Thomasean make her very first pair of pants. Eighty-nine years old, still sewing and still teaching. I wasn’t done yet. Then came the great-grandchildren: Terrica, Justice, Lil Kevin, Ronald, Seanthomas, Shaquria, Malik, Terrance Bird, Deomar, Dez’Shanae, Tyrone, Destiny, Carter, Nicholas, Javan, Amya, Mariah, Bryson, Ermias, Christoper jr., Cooper, Canady, Daijia, Tyree, Shaquria Jr and Kevon. Terrica and I shared an especially close relationship. She was so often right there by my side, and her presence became one of those familiar comforts in my everyday life that I treasured deeply. Watching another generation grow up was one of the blessings of living such a long life. What I especially enjoyed was that my grandchildren and great-grandchildren never got too grown for Grandma’s house. They had jobs, children, responsibilities, homes of their own, and plenty of places they could have been, but they still came right on to back to 68th where they always felt at home. Which brings me to my block grandchildren Terry, Tracy and Joe Lee. Know that I loved you all just as much as everyone. There was something special about watching the children who once ran through my house grow into adults and still choose to come back and sit awhile. Everyone loved my peach cobbler and if you ever want some close call Thomasean or Tyrone and tell them I sent you. I taught them how to make it but now whether either one of them makes it exactly like mine is for the rest of you to argue about. But the recipe is still in the family, and that is what matters. I was also blessed with my godson, Jabar Tanner, and I cherished the years, memories, and laughter we shared. He was always there when I needed no questions asked. My dear friend, Duane E. Harvey. I treasured our friendship and the years that came with it. People may have known him through his work, his title, or his reputation, but to me he was simply Duane, my friend. When you live as long as I did, you learn to appreciate the people who remain part of your story through the years. Now, if you knew me, then you already know I wasn’t some quiet little lady sitting in the corner worried about whether everybody approved of what I had to say. I said what I meant, and I meant what I said. Depending on the day, you might even hear me say, “Let’s get drunk and beat somebody.” Whether we actually did it is none of your business. But I said it, and I know some of you are laughing right now because you can hear my voice saying it. You were going to get Ella exactly as Ella came. My faith remained important to me throughout my life. I attended St. Louis Catholic Church and sang on the choir until it closed and later joined Paradise Baptist Church. I was also a member of the Daughters of Isis and a member of the Eastern Star, adding sisterhood, service, and community to the many chapters of my life. When you live as long as I did you see al of of changes. I came into this world in 1932 and watched neighborhoods change, businesses change, lived through wars, civil rights movements, the 1st Black President. I saw fashions come in go and some of the greatest technology changes(I was always punching on that phone). I watched generation after generation of my own family grow up right in front of me. I knew hard times and sacrifice but I never quit. I left this earthly life and gained my wings on July 29th 2026. I was preceded in death by my parents, Regusta Gatlin and Granville Williams Sr.; my sister, Gwendolyn Ballard; my niece, Tracey Ballard; my oldest son, Thompson Love Jr.; my youngest granddaughter, Amber Harris; my great-grandson, Fred; and a host of other beloved family members and dear friends. Living a long life means saying goodbye more times than you would ever want to, and I carried those memories with me. But now I get to hug them all over again. I know there are plenty of people I haven’t named here: nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, special friends, and people who became family somewhere along the way. Now don’t get in your feelings because you didn’t see your name. There are simply too many people and too many years to fit everybody onto a page. Just know that I loved you all. If I ever fed you, fussed at you, checked on you, helped you, laughed with you, or told you something that was none of my business, you probably already knew that. I know it is hard to say goodbye to me, but don’t let the sadness of these last days erase the life that came before them. I lived for 94 years. I raised my children, helped raise grandchildren, built businesses, worshipped, cooked, sewed, sang, danced, laughed, fussed, worked hard, and made a whole lot of memories along the way. So, when you think about me, think about me living. Think about my kitchen and that peach cobbler. Think about Grandma’s house with everybody sitting around talking and laughing hanging outside and me sitting on the porch right with you. Think about something I said that amade you mad at the time but makes perfect sense now. Play some music. Cook something. Have a drink and every once in a while, when life gets on your last nerve, raise your glass and say, “Let’s get drunk and beat somebody,” then laugh because you know exactly who you got it from. I had 94 years here, and I made good use of them. I worked, I built, I taught, I laughed, I loved, and most importantly, I lived. This ain’t goodbye...I’ll see you later and in case you forgot.. I’m Ella! Funeral services Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 2:00pm at Watkins Heritage Chapel. Interment XII Gates Memorial Gardens. Visitation 1:00pm-2:00pm at the chapel. Arrangements entrusted Lawrence A. Jones Funeral Homes & Cremation. Condolences may be shared on our website. Services livestreamed www.mstcsunset.com

Ms. Ella L. Dickerson

March 24, 1932 - July 29, 2026