Ernest Sylvester Dickerson, Sr, DOVER, DE - Ernest Sylvester Dickerson, Sr., 65, of Hartly, died Friday, May 14, 2010 at Bay Health Kent General Hospital, Dover, after a lengthy illness. Born July 24, 1944 in Baltimore, Maryland, Ernest was the son of the late Eugene O'Brien Dickerson, Sr. and Anna Elizabeth Trott Dickerson. He was a 1962 graduate of Robert Russa Moton High School in Easton, Maryland. To fulfill his lifetime goal, Ernest was destined to become a successful mechanic. Prior to attending Delaware Tech in Dover, Delaware to acquire his formal training as an electrician and a mechanic, he worked as a mechanic at the International Playtex Company in Dover, Delaware. He distinguished himself by being the first African -American hired in that position. Also while an employee with Playtex he received the Heroism Award for preventing a personal tragedy . Ernest retired in May, 2002 with 38 years of service. His Christian journey began in the home of his parents where he was taught the commandments of God. He joined St. John's U.M. Church in Wittman, Maryland at an early age. Ernest was a former member of Masonic Prudence Lodge #6 in Dover, DE. Ernest was joined in holy matrimony to Irene Giddens on May 6, 1967 and to this union was born two children - Sylvetta Annette and Ernest Sylvester, Jr. He leaves to cherish his memory a devoted wife, Irene of 43 years; one daughter, Sylvetta (Bradford) Lewes, Dover; one son, Ernest (Connie) Dickerson Jr., Hartly; four grandsons, Shakil and Marcus Miller, Dover, Davon Johnson, Hartly, and Zaaron Seals- Dickerson, Millington, MD.; one granddaughter, Erniesha Dickerson; two brothers, Eugene (Daisy) Dickerson, Jr., Westbury, N.Y. and Walter (Vanessa) Dickerson, Mobile, Ala.; two nieces, Nicole Dickerson, Westbury, N.Y. and Richonda Robinson, Mobile, Ala.; one nephew, Christopher Dickerson, Columbus, Ga.; four aunts, Audrey Brown, Baltimore, Md., Elva (Harvey) McDaniel, Severn, Md., Bertha (Quentin) Wilson, Easton, Md. and Alice Adams, McDaniel, Maryland who is also his godmother; six cousins, Martina (Wayne) Reed, Baltimore, Md., Pamela (Robert) Clay, McDaniel, Md., Sharmon Banks, McDaniel, Md., Johnitha Brown, Columbus, Ga., Douglas T. Brown, Columbus, Ga., and Troy (Simone) Brooks, Preston, Md.; four sisters-in-law, Clara (Richard) Cooper, St. Michaels, Md., Cleo (Ernest) Holdbrooks, Dover, Del., Furgestine (Jesse) Head, Fort Worth, Texas and Juanita (Henson) Brooks, Felton, Del.; and two brothers-in-law, Robert (Louise) Giddens, Jr., Spring Lake, N.C. and Clarence (Judy) Giddens, Exmore, Va.; and numerous other relatives and friends. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, May 22, 2010 at Noon at Calvary Baptist Church, on Queen St., Dover, Del. where friends may call 2 hours prior to the service. Interment will be in Sharon Hill Cemetery, Dover, Del. Repast following at Bennie Smith Funeral Home, 717 W. Division St., Dover, Del. Letters of condolence may be sent, and guestbook may be signed at www.benniesmithfuneralhome.com Arrangements are being handled by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover, DE