Linda Estelle Rhyne Dickens

RALEIGH - LINDA ESTELLE RHYNE DICKENS, 77, passed away peacefully on February 11, holding the hand of her husband, at Transitions LifeCare in Raleigh, N.C. Born, July 4th, 1938 in Fuquay-Varina, N.C. to Angie and Robert Rhyne, sister to Robert Donald Rhyne. She graduated as an RN from Rex Nursing School in 1959.  Linda was a long time NC resident living in Wilmington, Reidsville and Raleigh serving those communities as a nurse with a contagious smile and a sweet kind spirit.  She cared for many patients alongside doctors, nurses, aids, volunteers, and administrators throughout her career in numerous healthcare facilities.  Linda was a dedicated person, to her family, her coworkers and anything else she set her mind to.  She had a great sense of style and fashion and thoroughly enjoyed many trips to Williamsburg with her sister-in-law, Peggy, and her brother, Donald.  She was a great cook always providing recipes and giving cooking advice when called upon by her children and friends.  To know Linda was to love her. She is survived by her husband: C. Phillip Dickens, her brother and sister-in-law: Robert Donald and Peggy M. Rhyne, her 4 children: Michelle Kelley (Mark) of Collierville, TN, Andrew Allen Merricks (Kalisha) of Reidsville, NC, James Newton Merricks of Raleigh NC, James Andrew Merricks of Reidsville, NC, step-daughter Colette Deese of Willow Springs, NC, her niece Ginger Rhyne Wall, her nephew Robert Donald Rhyne, Jr., her 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.  Her smile was never brighter than when surrounded by her family. Linda is preceded in death by her parents Angie Rhyne Miller and Robert Rhyne and the father of her children, James Allen Merricks of Reidsville, NC. The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at Rex Nursing Facility where Linda was lovingly cared for 2 years, Transitions LifeCare where her final 2 ½ weeks were spent, and to Marlene Arnold, a companion, caregiver and friend to Linda for over 5 years.  We were all blessed by you and your love for Linda. Funeral will be held Saturday, February 20, 2016, 11:00 AM, at Ridge Road Baptist Church, Raleigh.  Visitation will precede the funeral beginning at 10:00 AM.  Interment at Montlawn Cemetery will immediately follow the funeral.  The family will receive friends at Linda and Phillip’s home at 3209 Cobblestone Court, Raleigh, NC. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in the name of Linda Rhyne Dickens to Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607 or Ridge Road Baptist Church, 2011 Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC 27607, where Linda was a member for over 10 years. Arrangements by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, Raleigh.