Allen Augustus Dickens, 86, of Gaston, died Sunday, January 14, 2018 at his home with his family by his side.

Allen, a native of Halifax County, was the son of the late Jacob Augustus and Nannie Sue Vaughan Dickens. He was also preceded in death by his two sons, Steven W. and Kenneth A. Dickens, and eleven brothers and sisters.

A lover of the land, Allen was a retired Northampton County farmer for 50 years. He was a member of the Gaston Co-op, and he won the award for the 2-ton peanut club. He was a member of Spring United Methodist Church where he was in the choir, sang solos for many years, and was a former Sunday school teacher.

He was a very humble and well respected man. He loved the beach, fishing, and most of all, his family.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Thelma Saunders Dickens; his daughters, Deborah D. "Debbie" Ricks and her husband, Earl, of Roanoke Rapids, and Donna D. Clements and her husband, Mason, of Skippers, VA; twelve grandchildren, Greg Ricks and his wife, Mary Hunter, Brian Ricks, Sarah Ricks Harris and her husband, Stevie, Lewis Dickens and his wife, Missy, Stephanie Dickens Dunlow and her husband, Timothy, Phillip Dickens and his wife, Heather, Brad Dickens, Travis Dickens and his wife, Czarina, Lauren Ashley Kayani and her husband, Karim, Justin Leemhuis and his wife, Lane, Chelsea Puhak, and John Allen Dickens; thirteen great-grandchildren; sister, Hazel Hasty, of Roanoke Rapids; brother, Rev. Grady Dickens and his wife, Millie, of Nashville, NC; daughters-in-law, Laura F. Dickens of Gaston, and Beth W. Dickens of Pittsboro, NC.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Askew Funeral & Cremation Services, 731 Roanoke Ave., Roanoke Rapids, with Rev. Bob Clyde officiating.

Interment will follow in Crestview Memorial Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 16, 2018 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.