Jimmye Nell Dickerson Allen

Jimmye Nell Dickerson Allen, 84, passed away in Tifton, GA on Saturday, January 2, 2021. She became a resident of GA and lived with her daughter, Angelique, and family for 6 months after her husband, Bascom Lee Allen, Sr. died. Jimmye and her husband Bascom were previous long-time residents of Starkville, MS for 47 years. Jimmye was born in Bruce, MS on January 19, 1936 at home to Ethelyn Gullick Dickerson and John Franklin (Bud) Dickerson. For a short period of time during WWII, she lived in Mobile, AL, due to father’s work. After Jimmye and family returned to Nettleton, MS, she later graduated from Nettleton High School as Salutatorian in 1954. Jimmye graduated from Itawamba Junior College in 1956 with an Associate of Science degree and with Honors from Mississippi State University on January 25, 1958 with a Bachelor of Science degree. While working as a secretary for Dr. D.W. Aiken, MSU Comptroller for the Registrar’s Office, Jimmye met Bascom in January 1958 when she gave him his entrance exams. Then, Bascom took Jimmye for coffee, and she was smitten not only because of his good looks, but also because he was ambitious, kind and considerate. They were married June 21, 1958 at First Methodist Church Sanctuary in Columbus, MS. Jimmye, Bascom, and son, Lee (born February 5, 1959), moved to New Orleans, LA January 27, 1961. Jimmye soon became a happy mother of two children when Angel was born May 30, 1962. Bascom’s work moved them from LA to FL for a year, and then they settled in Bogalusa, LA in 1964. Besides being a homemaker, in 1967, Jimmye served as a social worker in Washington Parish, LA. Later, Jimmye began teaching at Central Memorial High School in Bogalusa, LA and then at Bogalusa High School teaching English and Science. The Allens became very active with the Christians meeting at the Church of Christ in Bogalusa, LA. In 1973, the family moved to Starkville, MS. Jimmye started at Henderson Jr. High teaching English. While teaching, she studied and received her Master of Science in Ed. in 1975. In March 1987, she received Teacher of the Month. Jimmye retired with Starkville Public Schools with 25 years of teaching in May 1994 and was awarded one of America’s Best Teachers in October 1994. During her teaching career, Jimmye was a member of the National Council of Teachers of English, the National Educators Assoc., MS Assoc. of Educators, Phi Delta Kappa, Kappa Kappa Iota, where she served on the education committee, and was secretary of the Starkville Public Schools Advisory Council.

Jimmye also taught K/1st grade Bible classes at Starkville Church of Christ. She also participated in ministry with the University Christian Student Center Adoptive Parent Program (20+ years). Being an MSU alumnus with Bascom, they supported the MSU baseball team as adoptive parents with Coach Ron Polk in the 1990’s. She served in Kiwanis

with her husband from 1974 -2015. Her service brought opportunities such as serving as First Lady with husband Bascom as Governor of MS/ La/west TN District (1998-1999) and working at Humphrey Coliseum during basketball games in concession stands to raise money for children. Jimmye also ran in several 10Ks. Jimmye loved reading, especially the Bible with her husband at the kitchen table. A favorite passage, Numbers 6:24-26, “The Lord Bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace”.

Jimmye was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and mother, and father-in-law, Asenath Averine Wright Allen and Maxwell Carlyle Allen, Sr.; brother, Johnny C. Dickerson; brotherin-law, Maxwell C. Allen, Jr.; sister-inlaw, Jean Dickerson; niece, Amy Dickerson; and other beloved relatives.

She is survived by son, Bascom Lee Allen, Jr. ( Jan ) of Mt. Juliet, TN; daughter, Averine Angelique Allen Newsom (Larry) of Tifton, GA; two grandsons, Josh Allen (Brittany), of Nashville, TN; Brantley Newsom of Tifton, GA; three granddaughters, Hannah Allen Cupples ( Avery) of Hermitage, TN; Nicole Newsom Jacobik (Alexander) of Tallahassee, FL; Carly Anne Newsom of Carrollton, GA; two brothers Paul Dickerson of Smithville, MS; Mike Dickerson (Julie) of Nettleton, MS; sister-in-law, Anne W. Allen of Germantown, TN, and other beloved relatives.

Family will celebrate her wonderful life at a private graveside service in Starkville, MS.

You can leave the family a condolence at: www.welchfuneralhomes.com of Warren County MS since 1962. The true love in his professional life was Forestry, where he dedicated much of his life to hardwood Silviculture, which is the art and science of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, health, and quality of hardwood forest vegetation. He also helped further define and develop a subset of Silviculture called Stand Dynamics, which is the study of the changes of specific stands of trees over time due to events like growth, weather, fire, pests, wildlife, and environmental changes. During his professional career, he authored and coauthored numerous articles pertaining to Hardwood Silviculture, Hardwood Forest Management and Stand Dynamics. As a consultant, he participated in numerous short courses, seminars and research projects on Hardwood Silviculture, forest management and Stand Dynamics in conjunction with Mississippi State University School of Forest Resources, with world renowned Silviculturist, Dr. Chad Oliver, and with Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. Additionally, he was very interested in the research that was being done at the USDA Forest Service research lab in Stoneville, MS and was involved with several studies over the years, co-authoring several research publications with the scientists at the Stoneville research lab. Burk was recognized for his dedication to and accomplishments in Hardwood Forest Management and Silviculture by several peer groups and hardwood forest research organizations and was made an Honorary Colonel by Governor Bill Waller for his accomplishments, contributions, and promotion of forestry in Mississippi. He was one of the very first registered foresters and registered land surveyors in Mississippi and was a charter member of the Southern Hardwood Forestry Group founded in 1951 and the Southern Hardwood Forest Research Group founded in 1953. As a Dad, there was none better. Words like outstanding and fantastic do not go far enough in describing the man he was. He was always available, no matter what. If you needed help, he was there. If you just needed to talk, he was there. He always had time or made time for his sons and as a testament of his commitment to his sons, all three became Eagle Scouts due to his love, encouragement, commitment and support. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Sparling Burkhardt, and his son, Charles E. Burkhardt, (Shelby) of Starkville MS. He is survived by two sons, Richard Burkhardt (Barbara) of Columbus Mississippi and Michael Burkhardt (Melanie) of Parker County, Texas, four grandchildren, Mary Katherine Mcneel, (Colby), Jamie E. Burkhardt, Hawes Burkhardt and Amanda Payne (Joseph), and four great-grandchildren, Burklee Mcneel, Charles Grayson Mcneel, Remington Coffman and Jaxon Payne. Unfortunately, due to the covid crisis there will be no memorial service at this time. Memorials may be made to: The Charles Burkhardt Memorial Fund (Forestry Related) MSU Foundation. Attn: Charlsie Halford, P.O. Box 9680, MS State, MS 39762. War Eagle...dad!!! Godspeed! Thanks for being who you were, for your love and support and for always being there. You are loved and missed!