Rev. David H. Dickens, age 83, of Swainsboro, died on Wednesday October 26, 2011, at the Emanuel Medical Center after an extended illness. Rev. Dickens was born in Nashville, Tenn. and attended Hendrix College in Little Rock, Ark. and Martin College in Pulaski, Tenn. He graduated from seminary from Emory University in Atlanta and later received his doctorate degree. He was a United Methodist minister for 50 years plus starting in Tennessee in the Holston Conference before moving to the South Georgia Conference. Rev. Dickens served for 45 years in the South Georgia Conference. He retired and served in the North Georgia Conference for five years in Milledgeville, Ga. While serving in the North and South Georgia Conferences he served on numerous committees. He was a former Rotarian and a member of the Lions Club and the Kiwanis Club. He was also a Shriner and a Mason. Rev. Dickens was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Virginia Gandy Dickens. He was happiest when he was with his family, on his boat and near his house at the lake. He never met a stranger. He enjoyed visiting with his friends, The Mays Road Boys Club. Survivors include two daughters and one son-in-law, Cathy and Paul McDaniel and Mary Dickens of Swainsboro, Ga; special friend Kathy Morgan of Swainsboro; one son and daughter-in-law, James David and Debbie Dickens of Plymouth, Wis.; nephew Chris Dickens of Nashville, Tenn.; five grandchildren: Jennifer Lea McDaniel and Mary Elizabeth McDaniel of Swainsboro, James Nicholas Dickens, Brandan David Dickens and Crystal Saphire VanWageningen of Plymouth, Wis.; one great-grandchild, Riley VanWageningen of Plymouth, Wis. Funeral services were held on Saturday, October 29, at First United Methodist Church with Dr. Bill Woodson and Rev. Frank Harris officiating. Pallbearers were Phil Thompson, Howard Youmans, Charles Schwabe, Buddy Cobb, Bobby Minton, Gene Miles, Branklyn Ferrell, Kenny Walters and Ron Hollingsworth. Honorary Pallbearers were ministers and spouses of the North and South Georgia United Methodist Conference and employees of United Hospice.