Connie Dickerson
Connie Denell Cato Dickerson was born on December 30, 1955, to Dorsey and Evelyn Cato in Chattanooga, Tn.
At an early age she united with Greater Tucker Missionary Baptist Church where she served faithfully until she moved to Nashville, TN.
She is a 1973 graduate of Riverside High School. She also attended Morris-Brown College and Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA.
She united in holy matrimony with James L. Dickerson in September 1983. They were later blessed with Stephen K. Dickerson, their loving son.
She’s been dubbed, “Nashville’s Gospel Diva.” Connie Denell was the Sunday morning personality host of “Gospel Inspirations” on 92Q FM. While attending high school, Connie tried her hand at news reporting as a sports reporter for her school newspaper. During the interim between her high school graduation and college, Connie worked for two local radio stations, WNOO and WJTT hosting, “The Quiet Storm,” shows. After gaining more radio experience and exposure, she moved to Atlanta, Georgia never venturing far from radio and music. She had a stint at WAOK-AM radio station. She briefly worked at WLAC in news and later worked for TNN. She also became the first black talent coordinator that booked country music artists on the national television show, “Music City Tonight,” hosted by the legendary country music artist Ralph Emery. She shared her talents on the very popular “Charlie Chase and Lorraine Crook Show.” She also worked for one of the music and radio industry’s most famous voices, Dick Clark Productions and Rac Clark on “Prime Time Country,” hosted by Gary Chapman. Later, she was hired as the Morning Show host for 92.1 WQQK FM and she also did news for WVOL AM. Radio is all Connie has ever known and she has spent years making her own mark in it. But the diva didn’t start at the top. She worked her way up the hard way. With the exception of sales, “Nashville’s Gospel Diva” has done everything in radio from sweeping floors, programming, internships, to filling in for vacationing news staff. Even then, God was ordering the steps of the future “Gospel Diva.” The beloved radio personality uplifts the spirits to all who listen. Listeners call in with laughter, tears, and hope each Sunday Morning as she invited them to join in to have some church—before church. Connie’s story is a phenomenal, spiritual journey that consists of the countless blessings and inspiration she has given to others through her radio show. For over 10 years, Connie Denell celebrated double digit ratings with her definitive on-air delivery and her unabashed inspiration and praise of the Lord. She stayed in gospel radio to inspire others, and to give God the glory, along with a whole lot of good gospel music!
Connie was preceded in death by her parents, a nephew, a brother-in-law, and a sister-in-law. She is survived by a caring husband, James L. Dickerson, devoted son, Stephen K. Dickerson, loving sister, Doris Cato Parham, loving brother, Charles Moon, nieces, Courtney, Chanee, Charee, Chanell, Charis, a host of cousins, and friends including Martha Jackson, Diane Crane, Annetta Churchwell, Tray Simmons, Victor Chapman, Paul Ballenger, Michelle Nash, Greg Beard, Dr. Bobby Jones, and a very special cousin, Sandra Booker.
Funeral services were held in Nashville, Tennessee.
Courtesy announcement is by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 423 622-9995.