Deacon Isaac Dixon Sr.

Deacon Isaac Dixon was 87, and departed this life Monday March 6, in Marion County.  He was the husband of Bertha Mae Dixon, the father of Denise O'Neal, Aretha Davis, Isaac Dixon Jr., Soynia Evans and Kevin Levern Dixon. You may visit the family at 2731 Wallace Rd. Marion.

Funeral services are scheduled to be held at the CD Joyner Auditorium on Monday March 13, at 11:00 am. He will be laid to rest at Gresham Chapel Church Cemetery. Services will be live-streamed on the Jackson & McGill Facebook Page.

~ Life Reflections ~

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.  Matthew 4:4

A Time To Be Born:

Isaac Dixon, Sr was born April 6, 1935 in Scranton, SC to the late Sampson & Sarah Dixon who sharecropped for a living. He was the fourth of nine children. He has five sisters of whom one preceded him in death, Martha Davis; three brothers who have all preceded him in death, Moses Dixon, Spencer Owens, and Isaiah Dixon.

A Time To Grow:

He attended Centenary Jr. High School in Centenary SC where transportation was provided by Arthur Gerald.  His school attendance came to a halt during his 8th grade year due to him helping to financially support the family. During the summer months he played with the community baseball team where he pitched. Isaac was known to have a slow but dangerous curve ball.

A Time To Worship:

He attended Gresham Chapel FWB Church where his father served as a Deacon and his mother was on the Mother’s Board. Once he gave his life to the Lord, he was fully committed. Those who knew him knew he loved God and was never ashamed to show it. He was ordained as a Deacon under the leadership of Rev. Smith in 1968. He served in several capacities through the years such as Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School Teacher, Chairman of the Deacon Board, and Sr. Choir President just to name a few. For the years he served as a Sunday School teacher, even with an 8th grade education, he was blessed with the divine ability to make a biblical story appear to lift up off of the pages. Several who sat under his teaching are now following his footsteps in teaching Sunday School themselves. He did not limit his service to just Gresham Chapel. He also spent time at Weeping Willow Missionary Baptist Church and St. Paul Elonia Baptist Church. It is no secret that he LOVED to sing and boy did he sing. He sang and praised God until the very end. The last song of praise was God Has Smiled On Me.

A Time To Love:

In 1945, the family left Scranton and moved to Marion County where they continued to do farm work. While in Marion, he sang with the gospel group called the Bells of Joy. Eventually, Isaac left home in 1959 and moved to Florida where he worked for General Roofing. In April 1960, he returned to SC due to his father’s illness. He helped the family maintain until August 1961 and the moved to Newark, New Jersey and worked for Reliable Oil Paint and Picture Frame Company.

Isaac met the love of his life, Bertha Mae Scott, in Newark, New Jersey on June 15, 1964 at American Metal Box where they were both working. They became engaged right after her birthday in 1965 and because neither believed in a long engagement, they married two weeks later. They were married in the living room of Minister William Coleman who lived across the street from Bertha’s apartment. The wedding was witnessed by Bertha’s brother, Dave Scott and friend, Dozene Ward.

They moved into Isaac’s apartment until moving to Marion in October 1968. They both became employed at Heritage Sportswear. Isaac left Heritage and went to Raytex and remained there for 23 years until he retired. They have seven wonderful children of whom they cherish.

A Time to Die:

It was God’s will to quietly call Isaac into eternal rest on Monday, March 6, 2023 while surrounded by his loving family at home in Marion, South Carolina.

A Time To Mourn:

To continue his legacy, he leaves to cherish his fond and loving memories: his devoted wife Bertha of 57 years; five children, Denise (Roger) O’Neal of Marion, SC, Aretha (Michael) Davis of Florence, SC, Isaac (Simone) Dixon Jr, of Simpsonville, SC, Soynia Evans of Marion, SC and Kevin Levern Dixon of the home; two step-daughters who he loved as his own, Jereline Yates of Rock Hill, SC and Annie (Thomas) Price of Bishopville, SC; four sisters, Mary (Melton) Rowell, Shirley Hughes, Mildred (Willie Joe) Page all of Marion, SC and Emma Lee (James) Simpson of Orangeburg, SC; twenty grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, one great - great grandchild, nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. He also had two special caregivers, Ms. Tommie and Doris.

Please adhere to all COVID-19 precautions and masks are required during visitation and funeral services.

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