Emmett Dixon

Hartsville, S.C. E.J.Dixon 83, passed away on Sunday, April 29, 2012, Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at Norton Funeral Home. A Musical Celebration of the Life of E.J. Dixon will be at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 2, 2012, at Chapel Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Brad Griese, Rev. Roy Outlaw, Rev. Burke Hoffman and Rev. John Wilkes officiating with burial in Middendorf Church of God Cemetery. Mr. Dixon was a loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother and Friend to all who knew him. He was born March 24, 1929 in Chesterfield County son of Lillie D. Dixon. In 1955 Mr. Dixon and his Brother-in-law and 12 other members founded and organized the Middendorf Church of God, which today is still a striving Church for Gods work and a place still where people are free to worship in the name of Jesus Christ. Mr. Dixon was a self taught musician with only a 3rd grade education, he was owner and operator of Dixons Logging Company until his retirement. In the 1960s he and his daughter Gloria made several appearances on the then famous Jim Nesbitt Show that aired at WBTW 13 in Florence South Carolina singing gospel music. In 1967 he attended the T-square School in Florence that was part of President Lyndon B. Johnsons war on poverty Bill. He was interview on the Good Morning America show by Hugh Downs for his involvement in the school. After the interview Mr. Hugh Downs stated that E.J. was a very intelligent man. E.J. s motto was Without Holiness no man shall see God. After his retirement he was well know for putting on his Santa Clause Hat and playing his mandolin for the Salvation Army in front of the local Hartsville Wal-Mart Store at Christmas time, he would play while the workers would ring the bells. He was also a member of the Southeastern Bluegrass Association where he was recognized as Musician of the Month in their newsletter. He attended every Reno Fest that came to Hartsville every year for the past 18 years. On March 24, 2004 he was recognized by the Middendorf Church of the Living God with a party and plaque in honor of his 75th Birthday and for over 53 years of providing his musical talents for that church and other churches in the surrounding communities. He is survived by his wife of 61 years Evelyn B. Braddock Dixon, his daughter Gloria D. Sumner-Bladel (Chris Bladel), sons, Emmett Jerome Dixon of the home, William (Caroleen) Dixon of Hartsville, and James E. (Mellette) Dixon of Hartsville, Brother Ray (Deborah) Dixon of Hartsville and God daughters Betty J. Echols, Keri Guest Davis and Janet Bell, Brother-in-Law Lex (Sarah) Braddock of Columbia, and Cousin Labon Donahue of Alabama and close family friends Rose Butts and Bishop Ella Mae Pooler. Grandchildren; Jessie Allen (Renee) Dixon, Hartsville, Trey Sumner, Hartsville, Candace (Stevie) Bradshaw Hartsville, Amber Johnson, Hartsville, Zach and Jermey Dixon of Hartsville, Shane Sumner of Hartsville and Levi Carl Dixon of the home. Three Great Grandchildren; Elijah Jace Dixon, Noah Joey Bradshaw and Lexi Avery Dixon of Hartsville. He was preceded in Death by his sisters Vera Dixon and Theresa D. Outlaw, brothers Clyde, Paul and Carrigan Dixon. In lieu of flowers Memorials can be made to Hospice of Chesterfield County, Inc. P.O. Box 293 Chesterfield, SC 29709-0293.