Ophelia J. Parrish- Dickerson

Ophelia Juan Parrish Dickerson came into this life on February 26, 1929. She was called home in the early morning on May 1, 2025, at the blessed age of 96. She was born in Donora Pa. where her father Rev. Parrish, was ordained to minister several years at the First Baptist Church in Donora. She was a PK (pastor’s kid) all the way. The Parrish family was privileged to make their home in a few different cities due to her father being in the ministry. Ophelia was the baby of the Parrish family and lovingly called “Baby” by her parents and her sister.

Ophelia graduated from West Newton High School in 1947. She was later accepted to Wilberforce College, where she studied to be a nurse. After receiving her degree as an LPN, she moved back to this area. She was introduced to the love of her life, Charles (Charlie) Dickerson by a good friend, Helen Brown, and a new life began. She worked for several years at Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh and St. Joseph Hospital on the Southside. She loved her career as a nurse, and they loved her. They affectionately called her “Dickie”. She was a member of a women’s club in Monessen for several years, which would hold dances and fundraisers. After retiring from nursing, she still worked for a few more years as a care giver at Friendship Village South Hills.

Ophelia never met a stranger and had a quick wit about her. She was a devoted Steeler fan and knew the game and loved to wave her Terrible Towel. She also enjoyed basketball and played during her high school years. She would faithfully read the local newspaper every evening. Back in the day, she also wrote a type of gossip column, “What’s Going on in the Town”, in the Courier many years ago. Her granddaughter would say “Memaw is very opinionated”, and she was. She was Memaw too many. She made a mean potato salad. She enjoyed the Blues and had a love for gospel music (although she was known to clap off beat and didn’t have a lot of rhythm).

She accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior and was baptised at Full Gospel Church in September 1983. She was very active at the youth camp every year. They would joke about Sister O and her foghorn. She loved to go to church conferences and was always ready to travel.

She is preceded in death by her husband of over 60 years, Charles R. Dickerson, her parents, Mrs. Sophie Ann Hairston Parrish, and Rev. Major Parrish, her sister C. Dolores Parrish-Lane (whom she affectionately called Lane) and her brothers, Herbert M. Parrish, Pershing (Perk) Parrish, and Stanford Parrish.

Ophelia J. Parrish-Dickerson leaves behind cherished memories to her daughter Charletté (Kevin) Reed of Monessen, cousin Mike Brown, who was like a son (Sonia), 2 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, godchildren, several close cousins, nephews, nieces and family friends who she dearly loved and spoke of often and who will also miss her dearly.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ophelia J. Parrish- Dickerson, please visit our floral store.