Melba Dixon

Melba Wilson Dixon passed from this life on June 23, at the age of 92. She was born in Winnsboro, LA to Melvin W. Wilson and Lessie Ellerbe Wilson. Melba was a graduate of Rayville High School where she learned to love both writing and bookkeeping. She spent her career at Richland State Bank, until the birth of her first child. After her children were grown, she returned to the bookkeeping work that she loved and served as bookkeeper for M&M Hardware in Homer. Nothing made her smile like a set of balanced books.

Melba was the devoted wife of James “Mike” Dixon. She worked diligently helping Mike earn his three degrees. Many nights the sound of typing echoed in their home as she typed his research notes and rough drafts of thesis and dissertation.

She was also a conscientious mother who was regularly volunteered as a class room mother at school. She always accepted with grace and planned many fun parties. At church, Melba taught Sunday School, Church Training, Girls in Action, and Bible School. Melba was also the chair of the Eucharist committee at church. The family teased her often about the time she mistakenly served fermented grape juice for the Lord’s Supper. That was probably the only time First Baptist Church served wine for communion!

Melba was very shy, so only her closest friends knew that she had a wicked sense of humor. She enjoyed talking once she got to know someone. Melba was competitive at cards and board games. She did not “let” the grandkids win, but enjoyed when they beat her. She loved to plan a dinner party and on holidays, the Dixon home was open to widows and widowers from the church. We will miss her desserts and dinner rolls, but thankfully she shared her recipes.

Melba was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Jerry Wilson and Roger Wilson. She was also preceded by her beloved sister-in-law Shirley Dixon Davis and husband Sam Davis. She is survived by her loving husband of 70 years, James “Mike” Dixon, son Jamie Dixon and wife Christina, daughter D’Ann Dixon Shannon and husband Keith, grandsons Culley Shannon, Connor Shannon, Bren Herring, and granddaughter Gabi Dixon. She is also survived by her sister Lorene Swenson and husband Joe, sister-in-law Jeanette Wilson, sister-in-law Patricia Lagrone, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A family memorial will be held at a later date.

Rose-Neath Funeral Home

Homer Chapel (318) 927-6110