At 10:50 PM on Friday, June 6, 2025, Walter Scott Dickerson, affectionately known as "Walt" to his close friends and "Boot" to his beloved wife Yolande, peacefully passed away in his sleep after a prolonged battle with illness. Born on February 2, 1937, in the charming and historic waterfront town of Chestertown, Maryland, located on the Eastern Shore, Walter was the son of Douglas Johnson and Audrey Dickerson-Brown. He was the youngest of five siblings, comprising four brothers—most of whom remained lifelong residents of Chestertown—and one sister, all of whom have preceded him in death. He is survived by his younger sister Martina Reed, who currently resides in Baltimore County. Walter shared a loving marriage with Yolande Griffin-Dickerson for an impressive 54 years, a testament to their enduring bond and commitment to one another.

Walter completed his elementary education within the Kent County Public School System located on the Eastern Shore. On April 8, 1957, he enlisted in the military, where he was inducted into the Army in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and became a member of the Signals Corps, renowned as one of the largest communications and electronic facilities globally. This era was marked by intense segregation, presenting significant challenges for Black American soldiers. Walter recounted his experiences of being unable to enter various establishments alongside his fellow soldiers, often having to wait outside while someone would bring him food. Despite these hardships, he served with pride during his deployments, with Panama standing out as his favorite assignment. While he aspired to make a lifelong career in the U.S. Army, he also harbored dreams of establishing a family, with the desire for stability being a core value that held immense significance for him.

After receiving an honorable discharge from military service, he began a four-year tenure with the State of Maryland at Crownsville State Hospital while pursuing a Nursing Program. His background in the military made him an attractive candidate for the Federal Government, leading to his recruitment by the National Security Agency (NSA) at Fort George Meade, where he dedicated an impressive 34 years of his career before retiring in 1994. During his time at the NSA, he enhanced his professional skills by completing the Logistics Management College and the Operations Security for Supervisors and Managers Program, which ultimately enabled him to rise to the position of Organizational Deputy Chief. He concluded his distinguished career in the Office of Security, where he was honored with a plaque and received recognition for his significant contributions during the Gulf War, specifically Operation Desert Storm. Additionally, his experience at the Agency allowed him to realize a personal aspiration of starting a family, as it was there that he met his wife, Yolande, through a bowling league organized by the Agency.

In 1970, he became a member of the St. John United Methodist Church of Patapsco Park, also known as Pumphrey, in Maryland, where he quickly became an integral part of the church. For over eight years, he held the position of Chairman of the Trustee Committee, where he led a proactive team responsible for managing the church's governance, addressing building and property needs, ensuring financial compliance, and maintaining overall security. His commitment to health and wellness was exemplified by his co-founding of the church's first Blood Pressure Screening Initiative, which aimed to empower congregants to understand and manage the risks associated with high blood pressure. Walter's passion for this initiative was evident as he dedicated two hours after Sunday service to support and promote it, sharing valuable information on health and wellness with the congregation. His personal health journey, particularly after being diagnosed with Prostate Cancer 25 years ago, further fueled his dedication to education and awareness. He organized gatherings for the men of the church to discuss his experiences candidly, encouraging them to prioritize regular cancer screenings. His openness and willingness to share his story were met with gratitude, as many appreciated his efforts to enhance health awareness and foster a culture of wellness within the church community.

Walt played a vital role on St. John's Transportation Committee, where he dedicated his efforts to ensuring that seniors and individuals without access to vehicles in both the County and Baltimore City could travel safely to worship services and special events. His commitment extended beyond just transportation; he also facilitated field trips and travel excursions for various Committee Groups and Ministries, showcasing his organizational skills and dedication to community engagement. Throughout his membership, Walter was an active participant in the United Methodist Men, contributing to the group's initiatives and fostering fellowship among its members. His passion for music found an outlet in the St. John's Male Chorus, where his harmonious vocal talents shone brightly. Additionally, one of the standout aspects of his contributions was his expertise in landscaping, which he applied to maintain the church lawn with meticulous care. Onlookers often witnessed him effortlessly managing steep hills and heavy machinery, resulting in a churchyard that remained pristine and inviting for all who visited.

Walter possessed a calm and composed nature and led a richly rewarding life filled with diverse interests. His passions included boating, fishing, bowling, and driving, alongside a penchant for innovation and resourcefulness. A devoted boat owner, Walter frequently embarked on midnight excursions for overnight fishing trips, accompanied by his friend Ronald Poole and a close-knit group of fishing enthusiasts. These adventures often culminated in bountiful catches of sea bass or trout, which Walter meticulously cleaned, gutted, and packaged for distribution to local families, ensuring each package was dated to guarantee freshness for the recipients. When not navigating the waters, Walter found solace at Ft. Armistead Park in Baltimore, where he would sit and observe the passing vessels, all while enjoying a picturesque view of the historic Key Bridge in the background.

Walter had an enduring passion for driving, regardless of how far the journey might take him. Throughout the years, his trusty van became a beloved vehicle for family adventures, whisking them away to popular destinations like Dollywood and Gatlinburg, Tennessee, among others. As he entered a new chapter of life with Yolande, they embraced the thrill of spontaneous road trips, often setting off to explore both well-planned and impromptu destinations. Their travels included a visit to the oldest African American church in the United States, a four-state tour through the heart of the South's rhythm and blues scene, and scenic drives through Upstate New York along the Erie Canal. They also enjoyed a relaxing overnight stay at a spa in West Virginia, returned to Walter's hometown of Chestertown for the Annual Jazz Festival, and ventured to Martha's Vineyard. Among his cherished experiences were a caravan tour of the Midwest, trips to Bermuda and Hawaii, and five memorable cruises. However, nothing compared to the tranquility he found during getaways with Yolande to their family's private beach vacation home, a true sanctuary for peace and relaxation.

Walter possessed unique talents that only a handful of individuals outside his family had the opportunity to appreciate. As an artist, he demonstrated an extraordinary gift for drawing, coupled with an uncanny ability to create something remarkable from the most mundane materials, often leaving his family in awe. One memorable instance showcased his ingenuity when he crafted a costume for his youngest daughter, Julie using items he scavenged from around the house. In a stroke of creativity, he transformed her into a computer, a concept that was ahead of its time, given the technological landscape of the era. This impromptu creation not only highlighted his artistic flair but also led to his daughter earning a second-place medal in her elementary school's costume competition, recognized for creativity and innovation.

Walter is survived by his beloved wife, Yolande Dickerson, who will forever cherish his memory, along with their daughters, Patrice Williams, Crystal Lewis, and Julie Dickerson, and their son, Quincey Johnson (Leslie Wong). His legacy continues through his seven grandchildren: Paige Williams, Donovan Lewis, Gregory Williams, Myles Lewis, Lauren Lewis, Aubrey Osedei, and Joseph Osedei, as well as his great-grandchild, Mykayla. Walter's family also includes his sister, Martina Reed, and a host of nieces and nephews, such as Allen Johnson Jr. (Ruby), Christine Burke, Nina Johnson-Wright, Latoya Burke, Kierra Burke, Derek Johnson, and Rayshaud Burke. He is further remembered by his sisters-in-law, Patricia Thomas, Aldona Pryce (Rudy), and Octavia Griffin, along with his brother-in-law, Agathus (Griff) Griffin (Betty). Additionally, Walter held a special place in his heart for his goddaughters, Gail Rooks and Yvette Revell-Lynch. His extensive family network spans across the Eastern Shore, Washington D.C., Baltimore, Virginia, Delaware, the Bronx, Brooklyn, New York, Ohio, and Alabama, reflecting the deep connections he fostered throughout his life.