Marvagene Nelson Dickson, age 86, passed away peacefully, Sunday, July 12, 2026 at Sweetbriar Assisted Living in Dunbar, West Virginia. She was born Saturday, July 15, 1939 in Madison, WV.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jackie Lee Dickson, the love of her life for 57 years; daughter, Laura Dickson; parents, Marvin and Genevieve Nelson; and sister, Judith Tawney. 

She graduated from Scott High School in the Class of 1957 and attended West Liberty State College for 1 year. Her biggest job was raising five children as a military wife across the United States. Later in life, she worked as a secretary for a Cardiology Group in Hampton, VA and for many years ,as a secretary for a Prosecuting Attorney at Boone County Courthouse in Madison, WV. She was a long standing member of Madison United Methodist Church, where she served as the Children’s Choir Director for 31 years. She proudly stated “how she was delighted to teach the children of the previous children that had also attended the children’ choir.” 

She was a member of the Madison UMC Adult Choir and a member of the Madison Methodist Quartet. The Quartet produced eight cassette tapes and traveled to other churches to share their love for the lord with gospel music. Her faith and devotion to the Church and God was inspirational to all of us. She loved crafting, especially for the Children’s Choir and their productions, bird watching and feeding, keeping pictures of birds that visited the yard and the plants/ flowers in the yard, and working puzzles. Her favorite indulgences were “Extra Sweet” Pure Leaf sweet tea and Hershey’s chocolates. Above all, she had a heart of gold and was the kindest and warmest person you would ever meet. She was grateful for all her blessings and exuded such happiness. Most of all she loved her family with all her heart and spending time talking, with games in the evenings, good food and laughter. 

She is survived by four children, Tayna Blake (John) of Chesapeake, VA; Jackie Kuhn (Kenny) of Deep Gap, NC; Mark Dickson (Tracey) of South Charleston, WV; Jon Dickson (April) of South Charleston, WV; nine grandchildren, Scott Blake (Meagan) of Colorado Springs, CO; Kristen Strain (Brianna) of Pottstown, PA; Ryan Blake (Emily) of Virginia Beach, VA; Ashley Daniels (Kevin) of Waxhaw, NC; Samantha Wilson (Kenny) of Indian Trail, NC; Madison Dickson of Oahu, HI; Cooper Dickson of South Charleston, WV; Chelsea Lore of Vero Beach, FL; Michael Lore of Rincon, GA; and nine great grandchildren, Maeve and Arley Strain; Jayden and Ayana Daniels; Austin and Sienna Wilson; Melanie, Oliver and Delilah Blake.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to all the staff at Sweetbriar Assisted Living, who were so attentive and caring of her.

A Celebration of Life will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 15, 2026 at Handley Funeral Home in Danville, West Virginia. 

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.