And on the eighth day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, "I need a caretaker", so God made a farmer.
James Lavelle Dixon, Sr., 94 spent his entire life in the Benton community doing what God created him to do: growing a family, growing a life, growing his crops and livestock.
James was born on June 26, 1922 to Eugenia Mae Guion and Perry Claiborn Dixon. He was the youngest of five brothers and sisters, who all preceded him in death. They were Marion Claiborn "Dick" Dixon, May Belle Dixon Johnston, Eula Mae Dixon Martin, and John Bennett Dixon.
In 1942, James married Eliza "Lois" Hood. He proposed to her on the front porch swing and they married five days later on August 1. Once James made up his mind to do something, he did it. He was not one to procrastinate. He didn't suffer "laggards" gladly!
James and Lois grew a family of four children, Ann, Nancy, Joy and James. They reared their children in Benton Baptist Church where he served as a deacon for many years. One of the fondest family memories is the building of the current church home in which James played a large role, both in construction and monetary contributions. His wife, Lois, and two of his children Ann Dixon Dunn and Nancy Dixon White preceded him in death.
After Lois's death, James married Eunice McFarland Rusche. She was the mother of seven children. The blended family made for some interesting holidays in the Dixon home. Paper plates and paper napkins became fairly commonplace in the Dixon home after this union. Eunice preceded James in the journey
to the Pearly Gates.
James spent the last 23 years with his faithful companion, Ellen Jewel Sanford. Ellen is the only
Mawmaw that many of the grandchildren, all of the great and great grandchildren have ever known. She survives James who she says, "is the best friend I ever had."
James was a community minded man, often helping people falling on hard times. He quietly went about his business without much fanfare. During Dad's illness the past three and one half months, our family has often been astounded at some of the stories people have shared with us of how Dad impacted their lives that we never knew. It was just his way.
During turbulent times, James was the rock that could be counted upon to bring a new season. He
donated the land for the original building of Benton Academy.
Borrowing upon the Biblical telling of lineage, James begat Ann who begat Debra Lynn and Theresa Jo Dunn. He begat Nancy, who begat the twins, Gene Thomas and Jeff Lavelle White. James begat Joy who begat Lindsay Rose and James Jr. who begat James 1 III (Trey) and Angela Dixon. The family grew to fourteen great grandchildren and 4 great great grands. Those paper plates came in handy even later in
life!
One late afternoon while picking beans with her Dad, Joy asked why, when everyone else planted
gardens, he seemed to plant fields of vegetables. He said "I just like to see things grow. With every sprout that springs from the dirt, it's like seeing God renew his creation. Besides that, the community needs to eat." His impact on the lives of his family and the community in which he lived will forever be felt. He was a good man.
Services were held August 28 at Parkview Church of God with the Rev. Ken Lynch officiating. Stricklin-King handled the arrangements.
