Catherine “Cathy” Elaine Dickerson, age 72, of Flora, passed away on October 12, 2026, at St. Vincents Hospital in Evansville, Indiana. She was born in Clinton County, Indiana, on April 16, 1954.

      When she left her hometown in Indiana, she settled in Flora, making it her new hometown.

      She spent her whole life in the kitchen, doing one of the things she loved most, cooking. All who knew Cathy would say she was an amazing cook. She made it her lifelong career, working for Bob and Lucille Baird at the Ranch Steak House until they retired and sold the business. She then moved into the kitchen of Angelos Cafe, which changed hands and names and became Ricks Café, where she worked until the doors closed.

      She then would adventure to being her own boss as she opened the kitchen for lunch at the American Legion Post 14 here in Flora, serving as many as 100 lunches a day. Finally, she took her love of cooking for others to her final place of employment at Flora’s Heritage Woods, where she retired in 2017 after 12 years as the head cook.

      She was an avid, lifelong, die-hard St. Louis Cardinals fan. She and Jim were also lovers of off-track betting at Ellis Park, where she would always bet on the gray horse if there was one in the race.

      The two of them also enjoyed a good long weekend trip, stopping at every garage sale and flea market they would pass. And during the short time while picking was good, she and Jim would walk many miles in the woods hunting her favorite fungus, the morel mushroom. They also traveled many miles looking for wild asparagus patches. She could spot them while driving 50 miles per hour down the highway.

      She was a member of the Flora Elks Lodge #1659, the Moose Lodge # 1384 in Flora and also of American Legion Post #14 in Flora. She was also a lifetime member of the Eagles Auxiliary in Frankfort, Indiana.

      If you were looking for Cathy and Jim, they could be found most evenings having a few nightcap drinks—a Canadian Mist and Pepsi for her and a PBR draft or a bottle of Budweiser for Jim—at any of these establishments. But they were most at home while sitting in “their seats” at the American Legion, where they were not only post members but also part of the Legion family.

      She was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband, Jim Dickerson; her only son, Nick Ashley; and her parents, James and Bonnie Everman. She was also preceded in death by her two brothers, Bob and Richard Everman, and a sister, Muriel “MeMe” Smith, all of Frankfort, Indiana; Jim’s parents, Roy and Grace Dickerson, of Flora; and Jim’s sister and brother-in-law, Judy and George Knackmus, of rural Mt. Erie, Illinois.

      She is survived by her only daughter, Crystal, and her husband, Troy, both of Flora; and her daughter-in-law, Miranda Ashley, of Flora.

      She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren, who always called her Mamaw: Cyler and his girlfriend Stephanie of Sailor Springs; Zane, Nicholas (Li’l Nick) and his significant other Tylyn, Taylor, and Miranda and her boyfriend Raden, all of Flora; Shayley and her soon-to-be husband, JP, of Fairfield; Kori and her fiancé, Tristan, of Clay City, Illinois; and Eli of Flora.

     She is also survived by her four great-granddaughters, Isabella, Zayleanna, Inez, Layla, and Little Miss Ellie, expected to arrive in March of 2027.

      She is also survived by three sisters who live in Frankfort, Indiana: Patricia Milliken; Tina and her husband, Ronnie Abbott; and Annette Faucett. Several nieces and nephews also survive and reside in or around Frankfort, Indiana.

      Also surviving are her best friend and soul sister, Joncia (Phillips) Griffith, and many, many others who were her friends and whom she considered family here in Flora.

      She was sassy and down to earth and usually a little smart assy. But she was loved by most who met her. She had a giving soul and a kind heart. If you were in need, she would do what she could to better your situation. She was a great friend to many and will be forever missed by all who had ever met her.

      Gone but never will she be forgotten. Per her wishes, she will be cremated. There will be a Celebration of Life at the American Legion in Flora at a later date. Memorial donations are suggested to the family for final expenses, and these will be accepted directly through the funeral home. 

      Arrangements are by Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora.

      Loving Mom, Mamaw, and Friend. Gone but never forgotten. Until we meet again, here’s to you, CAT! Cheers!