Monica Joan Oakley Dickens Obituary (1952

Monica Joan Oakley Dickens was born September 23, 1952, to Bobbie Jean Wagner and Norman H. Oakley. Monica was educated in the Des Moines public schools, where she lived most of her life until she moved to Los Angeles, California. Later, Monica decided to move back to Des Moines, Iowa to be close to her family. In 1996, Monica met her life long companion, Darryl Dickens, who stayed by her side until death. Monica was employed at Broadlawns Hospital until she retired in 2017. Monica or "Cookie" as she was affectionately called, was a hard working woman with a great sense of humor. We all went to her for advice. If you didn't want the truth, dont go to her. She kept it straight with no chaser. We went to her for any and everything. She had vast life experiences to touch on each situation we brought her way. We also respected her directness and assertive ways. Cookie will always be in our heart. Thank you for the guidance. Cookie enjoyed reading, playing challenging games, spending time with family and cussing out the tele-marketers on Tuesdays. Monica Joan Dickens, 65, passed away January 20, 2018, in the comfort of her home. She is preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Norman "Honeycomb", Wanda Jean and Pamela Oakley. She is survived by her daughters, DeLonda D. Oakley and Ebony S. Marks; sister, Rebecca A. Shumpert, special sister, Leanne "Doll Baby" Banks, Tiffany (Quintrell) McCreary, Anita Oakley, Valiska Wilson; brother, Joseph "Spuddy" Oakley; five grandchildren, Michael, Shalonda, Montinique, Drew and Italy, three great-grandchildren. She also dearly loved her nephew, Kenny Oakley and her nieces, Traveena Fowler and Kala Jefferson as well as her number one cousin, Anita Brown. Celebration of Life Thursday, January 25, 2018 Starts at 1:00pm Henderson's Highland Park Funeral Home