Barbara Dixon

Barbara Watson Dixon passed away on Tuesday, February 9th, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Reminiscence of her life:

Joliet, Illinois was the birth place for Mrs. Barbara Watson Dixon, born January 19th, 1946, which she recently celebrated her 70th birthday with her two sons (Freddie Jr., and Douglas), grandchildren and great grandchildren in Atlanta, Georgia.

Her parents precede her in death, Mr. and Mrs. (Juanita) Lillyoud Watson, Sr. to that union were born two children, Barbara; Anita; and Lillyoud Watson, Jr. Her mother and father divorced very early in their marriage and the siblings were raised by their grandparents Dr. Henry and Mrs. Mable Douglas, residents of Helena, Arkansas located in the far northeast corner on the banks of the Mississippi River.

Barbara had other brothers and sisters through the re-marriage of her mother, Mrs. Juanita Pilot of Detroit, Michigan. Barbara and her brother attended the public schools of Helena graduating from Elisa Miler High School.
Following her high school graduation Barbara moved to Detroit to be with her mother and attend Wayne State University. After two years of attending Wayne State University and bitter winters her grandfather said, "it's time to return to the Sun Belt and come back to Arkansas and transfer to Philander Smith College in Little Rock."

Barbara enjoyed her college years with many of her old high school classmates from Helena attending Philander Smith College with her as well as her new classmates; where she majored in Secondary Education with a minor in Special Education. A high honor for her senior year was her election as Miss Senior Philander Smith College 1967. While attending Philander Smith College she met and later married the son of the college President (Dr. Ernest T. Dixon, Jr.), Freddie B. Dixon Sr., whom she married in Helena, Arkansas in the summer of June, 1968.

Following their summer wedding Barbara and Freddie moved to Atlanta, Georgia where her husband entered Gammon Theological Seminary, The Interdenominational Theological Center. While her husband attended seminary Barbara was a teacher in the Atlanta public schools. During that time period Barbara decided she could teach and go to graduate school at the same time, so she entered what was then Atlanta University, what is now Clark Atlanta University graduating with honors with a Master's degree simultaneous with her husband, Freddie who also obtained his Masters of Theology degree in 1970; with having their first child, at the same time, Freddie B. Dixon, Jr.

Upon graduating the Dixon's set their sights on Texas where they relocated to Beeville, Texas in a Bi-racial ministry for three years before moving to Austin, Texas to assume the Pastorate of the historic Wesley United Methodist Church. She also assumed the position of First Lady of Wesley UMC.

During her 22 year ministry along side her husband, she was an active Christian woman, singing in the Wesley Intergenerational choir, sometimes leading soloist; a member of the Pears and Spears couples group she and other ladies founded. She was instrumental in starting a nursery class for young mothers with children; a member of the Wesley United Methodist Women. She along with four other women were the first women to go on an Emmaus Walk from Wesley UMC. Their second son, Douglas L. Dixon was born during their ministry at Wesley UMC.

Barbara was also a public school teacher in the Austin Independent School District. Her first teaching position was at Blanton Elementary, later teaching at W.R. Robbins School, assuming an Assistant Principle position at McCallum High School and returning to W.R. Robbins School as Principle. Barbara had an illustrious career with the AISD, retiring in the late 90's and moving to Atlanta, Georgia to be with her sons and grand & great grandchildren.

Barbara had many hobbies and business interests which she pursued with great vigor and enthusiasm. Barbara was a kind, loving; caring; and generous person with her time when it came to ministering to others.

One of Barbara's favorite scriptures was:
"By contrast, the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. If we live by the spirit let us be guided by the spirit". Galatians 5:22

Barbara leaves to cherish her memories her two sons, Freddie Dixon, Jr., and Douglas L. Dixon, daughter-in-law, Felicia Prease-Dixon; Brother, Lillyloud Watson, Jr.; grandchildren; Freddie B. Dixon, III; Brichelle Jasmine Dixon; Blake Justin Dixon; Austin Prease; Drew Dixon; Austin James Dixon; Lakeshia Nicole Dixon; Starla Dixon; great grandchildren: Londyn Dixon Spencer; Deyannah Johnson; Derrick Johnson; former husband, Freddie B. Dixon, Sr. (Melonie).; and Sister-in-laws: Leona Dixon-Thomas; Muriel J. Dixon.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Dixon will be held on Monday, February 15th, 2016 at 11:00am at the Wesley United Methodist Church, 1164 San Bernard St., Austin, Texas 78702. The Internment Committal Service wll follow at Memorial Hill Cemetery, North IH-35 and Howrd Ln., Austin, Texas.