A Life Remembered: Markeal Dickey Lives on Through Friends and Community

Markeal Dickey

By LaDarius Calhoun

Outlook writer

“I miss you, man. See you Saturday,” were some of Markeal Dickey’s last words to his best friend, Cheniqua Brown, a fourth-year student at Florida A&M University.

Dickey, 21, from Tallahassee, passed away Friday, June 5, after the vehicle he was a passenger in struck a tree in the 1900 block of Portland Avenue, according to the Tallahassee Police Department.

Dickey and the driver were headed to a friend’s house located less than a quarter-mile away from the accident scene. It would have been a regular night with some friends and Dickey’s girlfriend, as they all awaited his arrival to play games and watch movies, according to one of Dickey’s friends.

A witness of the accident who saw everything from beginning to end explains what she says “she will remember for the rest of her life.”

“To be there and witness everything and want to help, but there’s nothing that could be done to help – it’s hurtful,” said Tamu Griffin, founder of Tallahassee Super Squads.

Dickey lived an influential life. He was ambitious, friendly and open-minded. Some of Dickey’s friends remember his life and shared their experiences with the young distinguished gentleman.

“The thing I remember the most about him is his personality and connection,” said Brown. “No matter how long we went without talking, we always end up where we left off.”

Brown had the pleasure of meeting and introducing Dickey to FAMU’s freshman class in 2012, their first year in college. When Dickey and another close friend had dreams of becoming the freshman class president and vice president, Brown believed in them and assumed the role as campaign manager.

Brown said Dickey’s life influenced others.

“Everyone saw his leadership capabilities,” Brown said. “Anything he did, it made someone else want to do it, because he was so successful in it – he was so happy in it.”

Brown cherishes a picture of herself and Dickey when they met up this past New Year’s evening after not speaking for two months. Brown and Dickey wanted to rekindle the friendship. Dickey snapped a photo and posted it on his Instagram page to remember that moment.

“A part of me wants to remove the picture. I thought we would have this entire year together, not just a couple of months. It’s hard,” Brown said.

Dickey began exhibiting leadership skills early on in life. He was a 2012 graduate of Lincoln High School, where he was Senior Homecoming King, a member of the Student Government Association, the Future Business Leaders of America and Key Club. He earned his A.A. degree from Tallahassee Community College and was a junior at Florida State University, where he planned to graduate in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Communications.

Dickey served as past president of both the Boys Choir of Tallahassee and Distinguished Young Gentlemen.

He leaves his mark as a friend, son, mentor and more to those who knew him. Ramon Alexander, founder of Distinguished Young Gentlemen of America, Inc., shares his memory of Dickey.

“Markeal Dickey was a shining star in our community that possessed the special ability to inspire everyone around him to do better,” Alexander said.

Dickey was an optimistic person. He always set out to be the best and give people the best in him.