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Margie devoted herself wholeheartedly to those she loved.

Margie P. Dickens, born on November 19, 1947, in Owensboro, Kentucky, passed away on Monday, July 13, 2026, after a brief illness, leaving behind memories and love that will be cherished by all who knew her.

Her roots in Kentucky grounded her, but it was the family she built and nourished that brought her the greatest joy. Margie devoted herself wholeheartedly to those she loved.

Margie is survived by her beloved daughter, Marcy (Timmy) Hughes, whose strength and compassion reflect Margie’s own nature. She delighted in the lives of her granddaughters—Adrienne (Jason) Wood, Reba (Nick) Riley, and Grace (David) Fogle—each of whom carry forward her legacy of kindness and devotion. Among her greatest joys in later years were her great-grandchildren, Mary-Grace Wood, Oliver Wood, and Annabel Wood. Margie’s love also reached across generations to her dear sister, Ethel Hobbs, with whom she shared a lifelong bond.

Preceding Margie in eternal rest are her father, Arthur Justice “AJ” Purcell, her mother, Virgie Mae Frantz Purcell, and her devoted husband of over 50 years, James W. Dickens, Jr., whom she now joins in peace. She also mourned the losses of her sisters, Bonnie Hagan, Mary Helen “Dickie” Gaddis, and Virginia “Penny” Smith, as well as her brothers Leroy and John Purcell. Others close to her heart, including her fur babies, Master Buster Brown and Daniel, have also gone before her.

At the core of Margie’s life was her unselfish love—expressed daily in the countless meals cooked for family gatherings and the vibrant gardens she tenderly cultivated. Her nurturing spirit was felt around every table she set and every bloom that flourished under her care. Family and friends treasured the meals she prepared and the beauty she nurtured in her gardens; these acts of love stand as lasting gifts and fond memories.

While the pain of her absence is deeply felt, there is comfort in recalling Margie’s gentle laughter and the enduring bonds she shaped among those she cherished. Her legacy lives on in every meal lovingly shared, every flower that blooms, and every story retold by those who loved her most.

Friends and family will gather to remember and celebrate Margie’s remarkable life on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Memorial Church of the Nazarene in Orangeburg, South Carolina, followed by a funeral service at 12:00 p.m. Afterward, Margie will be laid to rest at Memorial Park Cemetery on Broughton Street in Orangeburg.  Pastor Hoke Robinson and Ricky Bouchette will be officiating.

Margie P. Dickens’s love, generosity, and quiet wisdom will be held forever in the hearts of all whose lives she touched.