Joanne Miller Dickenson

Joanne Miller Dickenson, 75, of Melrose, New Mexico, died January 27, 2016, in her home in Rose Bud, Arkansas, with her family by her side. She was born to the late John W. and Ina Miller, December 21, 1940 in Clovis, New Mexico. Joanne graduated from Melrose High School and later earned her Masters of Science degree from ENMU. She married James "Jim" E. Dickenson in 1958 and they lived and ranched in the Melrose area for 55 years before relocating to Rose Bud Arkansas in 2014. Joanne was an archaeologist until she retired. She loved her work as Curator of the Blackwater Draw National Landmark near Portales, New Mexico. Her work took her all over the United States and she enjoyed sharing information about the site with others. She was featured on NOVA as rediscovering the oldest hand dug well in North America. She contributed to the writing of the book Arch Lake Woman: Physical Anthropology and Geoarchaeology and other related books. In her earlier years raising four children and helping with ranch work, she also was involved in helping with school activities, was a Girl Scout leader, a 4-H leader, a member of a quilting club, and a volunteer sports photographer for the Clovis News Journal. She sewed, baked, and canned with neighbors for family and to share with others. She was a long time member of the Melrose First Baptist Church where she was a prayer warrior and assisted with Walk to Emmaus. After moving to Rose Bud she spent her time caring for her husband, loving on her grandchildren and their friends, learning to paint, and being involved in activities at the Rose Bud First Baptist Church. Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Tommy Miller, and one grandson James W. Dickenson. She is survived by her husband: James "Jim" E. Dickenson, Rose Bud, Arkansas; four children: Ronda Lunsford and husband Russell Lunsford, James E. Dickenson, Jr. and wife Christine Dickenson, Veronica Snow and husband Joe Snow, III, and Rebecca Norris and husband Daril Norris; She is also survived by several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Blackwater Draw NHL, c/o the ENMU Foundation, ENMU, Station 8, 1500 S. Avenue K, Portales, NM 88130. Online donations may be made through www.enmu.edu/donations and designating "Blackwater Draw Site".

Joanne Miller Dickenson

December 21, 1940 - January 27, 2016