Althea Mae Kemp Dickens, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, 95, of Marlin entered into rest Tuesday, October 2, 2012. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 5, 2012 at Adams Funeral Home Chapel in Marlin with Rev. Blake Herridge officiating. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery in Marlin, Texas. Visitation will be 6:00 – 8:00 pm Thursday, October 4, 2012 at Adams Funeral Home.Althea was born November 14, 1916 in Copiah County near Crystal Springs, MS to Ethel Bert Kemp and Ella Josephine Felton Kemp. She was later Valedictorian of Madden High School. Althea met her future husband, Wayne Dickens, in 1939 and soon became engaged. When he was stationed in Abilene, Texas during World War II, they were married on October 10, 1942. The very next day, Wayne was shipped overseas and they did not see each other for 3 years. During WWII while husband Wayne was stationed in England, Althea worked at R.J. Le Tourneau in Vicksburg, MS where she was doing her part to support the war effort as a legendary "Rosie the Riveter". After the war, she and Wayne moved to Marlin where she was a member of the First Baptist Church for over 50 years. Althea was active in the choir and taught Sunday School. She was Past Matron of Eastern Star Chapter 286 in Marlin, Past President of the Marlin Civic Club, President of the Garden Club and an active member of the W.O. Wright Circle and the Prayer Group. For twenty years, Althea worked as an L.V.N. for the Torbett, Hutchings and Smith Hospital. She worked both in the pathology lab and was head of the blood bank. Althea was a gracious southern lady and a Steel Magnolia when the need arose. Her daughters, who adored her, never heard her say an unkind word about anybody.She has gone to join the love of her life, Wayne, who passed away July 12, 2003. They will be celebrating their 70th anniversary together soon in Heaven.She was preceded in death by four brothers, infant sister, and two half-sisters.Survivors include her daughters Sally Iris Waidhofer and husband Ben of Houston; Ava Jane Grogan and husband David of Waco; grandchildren, Brandon Paul Grogan; Taylor Wayne Waidhofer and wife Courtney; Michael Wayne Grogan; Kristina Lind Waidhofer; great-grandchildren, Tyson Xavier Grogan; Peyton Paul Waidhofer and soon to be great-grandson, Taylor Wayne Waidhofer, II.Pallbearers will be Brandon Grogan, Taylor Wayne Waidhofer, David Grogan, Ben Waidhofer, and Thomas Waggener. Honorary Pallbearers will be Mel Baker, Jack Stem, Tom Criswell and Michael Grogan.The family would like to thank the staff at Ridgecrest Nursing Home and Bluebonnet Hospice for the loving and compassionate way they took care of Althea. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, 309 Coleman St., Marlin, TX 76661 or Bluebonnet Hospice, 307 Londonderry, Waco, TX 76712.Arrangements made by Adams Funeral Home, Marlin, Texas.