Lester Chester Dickey Jr.

Lester Chester Dickey Jr. was born on February 6, 1937, in Plumerville, Arkansas to Luster Dickey and Aquilla (Hervey) Dickey. He was called home on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at the age of 89. Both parents preceded him in death. He had two sisters and one brother also precede him in death: Cardell Hervey, Lola Vivian Ramey, and Adravella Mondaine.

At church one Sunday morning, he looked up and saw the most beautiful girl he had ever seen walking into the sanctuary, Doris Jean Vaughn. He courted her and soon she became his wife. To this union, three children were born, Lester Chester A. Author Dickey III, Tanya Rene Dickey Davis, and Nicole Danielle Dickey Bly. Sadly, Tanya Davis preceded him in death in 2020.

Lester Dickey started as an employee of the United States Postal Services and soon decided to take his own chances in the restaurant industry. In 1966, Lester, a Sumner High School 1955 Graduate, opened his first business at 31st and Monroe with very little money and a degree in business administration from Langston University. Within 5 years, he had established and organized Dickey’s Investments, Inc., a holding corporation that owned 4 Chicken Inn Restaurants, a service station, Fritz Drive Inn, and a 16-unit Motel. Sadly, Lester lost his wife at the young age of 31. He continued to run his businesses with the help and support of his family and children.

In 1978, he was blessed to find another love in Gloria Barton. They married and blended their family of five children. Leslie Barton Jr. and Chere Walker were added to the fold.

Lester was a proud member of the Swope Parkway Church of Christ. He was instrumental in helping the church acquire surrounding land at its current location, as well as worked on the Finance Ministry. He also served as a Deacon along with his second wife, Gloria. Another tragedy struck in 2000, when Gloria succumbed to her illness and passed away.

After closing the restaurants, Lester delved more into the real estate industry by becoming a real estate agent for Coldwell Banker. He was an outstanding salesman and often made the $1million sales club. Having that entrepreneurial spirit, Lester Dickey obtained his brokerage license and opened Lester Dickey Real Estate Services, LLC. He ran his business well into his 80’s.

In his later years and until his passing, he worshipped at the Blue Ridge Church of Christ with his sister Norma Jean Thomas.

Lester lived a long and fruitful life. He loved the Lord and instilled that love in his offspring. He leaves behind his sons, Lester Chester A. Author Dickey III, and Leslie Barton; and daughters, Chere Walker (Johnny) and Nicole Bly (Duane); one surviving sister, Norma Jean Thomas; 14 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, 6 great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and loved ones.