Alton Keith Dickens passed away Sept. 24, 2020 peacefully at home.
He was born Jan. 23, 1930 to Maidie Frances Crawley Dickens and Henry Furgeson Dickens in Halifax County, NC, growing up in Aurelian Springs.
He graduated William R. Davie high school in 1948, and entered the U.S. Air Force serving 4 years.
In 1953 he married Betty Love Morris, and graduated NC State University in 1956 in Mechanical Engineering with honors.
He worked in the paper industry for many years, and owned Oscar's Restaurant from 1972-2010.
He was an integral part of Roanoke Rapids Youth Fellowship, serving as Little League President from 1971-1984.
He was honored with a baseball field named for him at Ledgerwood, followed by being one of the first inductees to the RRYB Hall of Fame. He was an active member of South Rosemary United Methodist Church, serving on many boards and committees.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Betty, and younger brother, Henry L. Dickens and wife Judy Dickens of Roanoke Rapids, NC.
Other family members are: his two sons, Morris Keith Dickens and his wife Cary Esser of Kansas City, MO, and Alwin Rene Dickens and his wife Toni Dickens of Clark, NJ; his four grandchildren, Neal Jordan Dickens and his wife Barbara Lagemann, Melissa Dickens Alderman and her husband Anthony Alderman, Jr., Caroline Dickens and Myles Dickens; his four great-grandchildren, Lily Dickens, Ezra Alderman, Elsie Alderman and Welkin Alderman; brother-in-law Garvie Beasley of Roanoke Rapids; sister-in-law Mary Lee Daniel of Roanoke Rapids; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He loved Elvis, Wolfpack sports, his 65 Mustang, the family cabin on Lake Gaston, "driving" wherever the road would take him, his Sunday School class, and the menu at Oscar's.
But most of all, he loved his family and the entire Roanoke Rapids community.
His life was well-lived and full of kindness.
He devoted it to fixing all kinds of mechanical breakdowns, and supporting numerous local organizations to make this a better world.
Graveside Services will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2020 at 11:00 am in Cedarwood Cemetery in Roanoke Rapids, NC with Military Honors with Rev. Col. Charles Morrison officiating.
Masks and social distancing are recommended during the service.
Memorial donations may be made to the Roanoke Rapids Youth Baseball, 211 Harvest Circle, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870, or to the Parkinson Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Ste 800, Miami, Fl, 33131
Askew Funeral and Cremation Services in Roanoke Rapids is handling the arrangements.