Ethel Davis Dickinson hon5ored with the Robe of Achievement, 1985

Ethel Davis Dickinson was born and raised in Shiloh, NJ by her parents along with two siblings. She was baptized and joined the church in Shiloh at a young age. She was active in the church, especially in the choir for as long as she attended there. Throughout high school Ethel was involved in many Glee Clubs and was on staff of the school newspaper and yearbook. She also kept busy with her studies and graduated as valedictorian from Bridgeton High School. She then attended Salem College.

She was married to C. Harmon Dickinson in 1941 and they had three children. She was a great help to her husband while he continued his education in preparation for ministry among Seventh Day Baptists and she was also finishing her college degree. She was also busy serving as a Pastors wife during this time with her “sunny disposition, always going the second mile.” They served in DeRuyter, NY, 1st Hopkinton in Ashaway, RI, Denver, CO, Plainfield, NJ, and Richburg, NY.

Ethel became a member of the SDB Historical Society in 1958, and was a trustee of the American Sabbath Tract Society from 1957-67.  She was a director of the Board of Christian Education from 1967-80, Recording Secretary for SDB General Conference from 1974-76, and the editor of the SDB Yearbook from 1969-80. In 1980 Ethel and her husband moved to Plainfield, NJ to help at the national headquarters, the in 1982 they moved to WI where she became the secretary to the Executive Secretary who was Dale D. Thorngate at the time.

Throughout her years of service Ethel has been a choir director and member of other musical groups, involved with Bible school and camp, and the Allegheny Association. She was always willing to type a committee report ‘when she could work it in’ which was usually while most other people were resting. At headquarters she found resource materials or answers to questions without being asked which is of great assistance to those working.