Mrs. Thelma Jane "Janie" Crawford Dickerson, also affectionately known by many as “Mrs. Janie,”  passed away peacefully on March 12, 2025, in Clayton, Georgia, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on January 23, 1952, in Pavo, Georgia, and grew up in Thomasville before later moving to Lake City, Florida.

Janie graduated from Columbia County High School and earned a degree in Early Childhood Education from Lake City Community College, where she met the love of her life, Randy Dickerson. They shared 52 wonderful years of marriage. They enjoyed spending time with their family and spending vacations at the beach.  Her family was her joy. She never missed the opportunity to see her kids or grandkids. She was always their biggest fan.

For 50 years, Janie dedicated her life to teaching preschool, spending the last 30 years at Creative Learning Center in Clayton. She had a deep passion for teaching children about Jesus and made a lasting impact on countless young lives. A devoted member of Chechero Baptist Church, she lived her faith by being a light to everyone she met.

Janie was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Bobbie Crawford.

Janie is survived by her husband, Randy Dickerson; her son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Alisha Dickerson; her daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Josh Allen; and her beloved grandchildren, India Piper Allen, Alexandria Dickerson, Niko Allen, and honorary granddaughter Alli Dickerson; brother Daniel “Buddy” Crawford; brother-in-law, Rodney Dickerson; sister-in-law, Pam Dickerson, and best friend Roslyn Dickerson; step mother-in-law, Bea Dickerson. Adoption held a special place in Janie’s heart, and one of her greatest joys was welcoming Niko into the family.

She was an avid supporter of the Rabun County Wildcats and the Georgia Bulldogs. One of her proudest moments was when a former preschool student invited her to witness his signing to play football at UGA.

A Celebration of Life filled with balloons and joy will be held on Saturday, March 29th at 10:00 a.m. at Chechero Baptist Church, officiated by Reverend Michael Wilson with music by Toddy Ramey.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sid Weber Memorial Cancer Fund  at P.O. Box 485, Rabun Gap, Georgia 30568 or donations can be made payable to the Mrs. Janie Adoption Fund at Rabun County Bank, P.O. Box 845, Clayton, Georgia 30525. All adoption donations will be sent to Mustard Seed Adoption Consultants to sponsor a growing family through adoption.

Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Georgia, is in charge of the arrangements and is honored to serve the family of Thelma Jane Crawford Dickerson. If there are any questions, please call 706-782-9599. An online Memorial Register Book is available at www.beckfuneralhome.com.