Ellen Batten Dickinson
May 28, 1930 ~ May 31, 2011
Ellen Batten Dickinson, 81, Mooresville, passed away on May 31, 2011. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Dickinson, her brother, Alfred Batten and her parents, Robbie and Hollie Batten. Her surviving family includes her sister, Bessie Hudgins, and her children, Deb (Garry) Gregory of Louisville, Colorado, Lisa (Stuart) Lawrence of Carmel, Sandy Miller of Indianapolis, and Rob Dickinson (Jeff Watt) of Indianapolis. Grandchildren include Hollie Holland (Aaron) of Lawrence; Allen Miller (Nakia Rhinehart) of Indianapolis; Katie Darby (Keenan) of Indianapolis; Daniel Lawrence of Indianapolis; and Michael and Ellen Gregory of Louisville, Colorado and five great-grandchildren.
Ellen was a registered nurse, and served in the United States Air Force. She worked as a surgical intensive care nurse at Veteran’s Hospital in Indianapolis until retirement, and worked at Kendrick Hospital in Mooresville. During retirement, she volunteered for Meals on Wheels and Hospice and enjoyed a quilting circle for several years. She was a member of First Christian Church in Mooresville.
She loved her family and was passionate about reading and gardening.
In accordance with Ellen’s wishes, no services are planned. The family will celebrate her life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Wheeler Mission Ministries, 205 E. New York St., Indianapolis, IN 46204. Visit www.carlislebranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry. Arrangements are being handled by Carlisle-Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville.
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I flew with Jim in Korea. We were stationed together in Bergstrom, TX and that’s where Dot & I met and learned what a very special and loving lady Ellen was. We are better today from having know them both. God bless. Marion (MC) and Dot Davis
Message: Born in Palatka, Florida, the third of four siblings, to Robbie and Hollie Batten. A frail child, quiet, obedient and always desiring to please. She was unselfish and always willing to serve others. She wanted to be a nurse from the age of 5 and worked hard, maintaining A’s in school to be admitted into St. Luke’s School of Nursing, Jacksonville, Fl. She was only 12, but a mother to me when I was small, holding my hand and teaching me all things that mothers do for their little ones. She was my Mother’s baby sister, but I became my ‘Big Sister’. I was proud when at her graduation, she was presented her nurse’s cap and Registered Nurse’s pin. I thought she would return home, but she left for Orlando, Fl where she became a Lieutenant, in the USAF. After marrying a young handsome Air Force Lieutenant she gradually moved out of my life but not out of my heart, where she will always be. She was very dear and special to me. Carol May, Meadville Mississippi Sister’. I was proud when at her graduation, she was presented her nurse’s cap and Registered Nurse’s pin. I thought she would return home, but she left for Orlando, Fl where she became a Lieutenant, in the USAF. After marrying a young handsome Air Force Lieutenant she gradually moved out of my life but not out of my heart, where she will always be. She was very dear and special to me. Carol May, Meadville Mississippi
My mother, Ellen Dickinson was a blessing to so many people. She served her country, along with my father, James Dickinson during the Korean occupation. She was a nurse, he a pilot. They met in the United States Air Force. They both overcame disappointments in their lives and pulled themselves up by thier ‘boot straps’ to support our family. My dad once referred to her as a ‘rock’ and she always held our family together through tough times. She always kept her sense of humor and adventure. I recall one time, just for fun, she and a neighbor lady decided to dig a roasting pit in our small suburban back yard to roast a goat. It wasn’t a whole goat, and wasn’t as tasty as anticipated but we all got miles of laughs out of that cook-out! My mothers best gift to me were her stories The deep south penetrated her soul as a child, and as a transplanted Floridian she was as striking a southern character as any ‘Hoosier’ had ever met. Humor, strength, hard working, straight forward, smart, independent, sharp, gentle, caring. These were her trademarks. I’m proud to be her daughter. I thank her for my life and for my heritage. Lisa Lawrence
I only met my Great Aunt Ellen a few times but I do remember visiting her in Indiana when I was around 10 or 11. I remember going to a huge farmer’s market in Indianapolis with her and my family. My only exposure to cherries at that point in life was to marachino cherries. I hated them! But when we were wondering around they had fresh cherries at the market. I did NOT want to try one but somehow or another Aunt Ellen convinced me to try one. To this day I still love fresh cherries and think about her every time I eat them!