Martha Anne Wardlaw Dickinson, a lifelong resident of Frostproof, passed away Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at Good Shepherd Hospice in Auburndale.
She was born to John and Fannie Maye Wardlaw on May 26, 1931, in Frostproof. She graduated from Frostproof High School and later from Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in education. For her first teaching job she was a teacher in Orange County, California for two years until she and her husband moved back to Frostproof after his service in the U.S. Navy.
After they moved back to Frostproof, she became a fifth grade school teacher from 1958 until 1961 at Frostproof Elementary School. She left teaching when she and her husband adopted their first child, Kimberly Dickinson Cotton. She was a past president of Frostproof Woman’s Club, a brownie leader, secretary and member of Rotary, and treasurer for Eastern Star. She served on the city council for 8 years and during that tenure was vice mayor and then mayor.
She was the first woman deacon and member of Frostproof Presbyterian Church. She was very active with Farm Bureau for many years and a state director for 28 years, Chairman for State Women Board, Chairman of American FB Labor Committee and District 9 Director for Farm Bureau. In 2015 she received the Distinguished Service Award from Farm Bureau, which is the highest award that Farm Bureau gives out. With Farm Bureau she was able to travel all over the world and upon retirement had pretty much gone everywhere she wanted to go. In 1994 she was Florida Agricultural Woman of the Year. She was on the original board that was responsible for creating Ag in the Classroom program started for Polk County and beyond. She was a managing partner of JH Dickinson Groves, Inc. and Wardlaw & Dickinson Inc.
Anne was preceded in death by her husband, James Henry Dickinson, Jr. in 2017. Survivors include her and Dick’s two adopted children, Ward Dickinson and wife, Pam of Alva and Kimberly Anne Cotton and her husband, Randy of Frostproof; four grandchildren, Taylor Dickinson, Peyton Dickinson, Skylar Cox and Corbin Lanier; and three great-grandchildren, Ripp Saiz, Mack Saiz and Lainey Cox.
Private family graveside services will be held at Silver Hill Cemetery in Frostproof.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to New Hope Church, Building Fund, 825 County Road 630 A, Frostproof, Florida 33843 or First Presbyterian Church, 101 North Palm Avenue, Frostproof, Florida 33843.
