Joan Lawson Dickens
(August 15, 1933 – April 26, 2024)
Joan Lawson Dickens, 90, of Windsor, IL, formerly of Benton, IL, passed away at 1:15 p.m. Friday, April 26, 2024, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Mattoon, IL.
Joan was born on August 15, 1933, in East Alton, IL, the daughter of Douglas E. and Gertrude Elnora (Boos) Lawson. Joan graduated from University High School in Carbondale, IL, and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in education from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and her master’s degree in education administration from Northern Arizona University. Joan taught at Benton Grade School in Benton, IL for many years. She married Charles L. Dickens on March 6, 1976. She and Charles later moved to Las Cruces, NM, where she worked as a school administrator in New Mexico for several years before returning to southern Illinois. Joan was very involved in the Lions Clubs in Carbondale, IL and Las Cruces, NM. She recently attended the First Presbyterian Church in Mattoon, IL.
Joan is survived by her daughters, Stephanie Tate of Windsor, IL, Jeanette Crane of Mattoon, IL, Rebecca Fuller Ruttinger of Mattoon, IL; Judy Warf (Dana) of Windsor, IL; and Megan Dickens of Las Cruces, NM; step-daughters, Debbie Eaves (Dan) of Du Quoin, IL, Leslie Meyer (Jim) of Momence, IL, Cindy Swigonski (Tom) of Cape Girardeau, MO and Karen Bolen (David) of St. Louis, MO; brother, Jack Lawson of Tacoma, WA; 15 grandchildren; and 17 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Charles Dickens on June 7, 2015; and twin sister, Jean Lawson.
Burial will be later in Pleasant Grove Memorial Park, Murphysboro, IL. Memorials may be given to the SBL Peace Meal Program and mailed to Howe & Yockey Funeral Home, 415 North Broadway, Shelbyville, IL 62565. Arrangements are by Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL.