Vernon Dixon, Sr.

The faith of Vernon Lucas Dixon, Sr. became sight when he met his eternal Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, face to face at age 93. He was born on August 9, 1923, in Hope Villa, Louisiana, although he spent most of his childhood and adult life as a resident of Baton Rouge. He passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 2, 2016, at home surrounded by his loving family.

Immediately after graduating from Seventh Ward High School (now Woodlawn), Vernon ("Ben," as he was affectionately referred to by many), left to serve his country as a U.S. Army paratrooper in the Pacific Theater of World War II, and part of the occupation forces in Japan. Upon returning home, he married his wife of 68 years, "Shine," and shortly thereafter graduated from LSU. He used his Agri-Business education in his long career with the Farmer's Home Administration, Federal Housing Administration, and his own real estate appraisal business. His favorite vocation, however, was serving his Lord in his church and community: at Parkview Baptist Church where he and his Dixon family were charter members, most recently at Jefferson Baptist Church (nearly 48 years), and as a member and leader in Gideon's International, where he recently received recognition as a 50-year member. He loved placing Gideon Bibles in college students' hands at his alma mater, as well as in local elementary classrooms, hospitals and hotels. He was instrumental in encouraging the growth of the Gideon Camp in the Denham Springs area. A deacon, Sunday School teacher and usher, he not only served on Sundays, he also led worship services at local nursing homes each Saturday for many years, when he often used this illustration, "Let me tell you what ‘faith' is. Faith is jumping out of an airplane with a little wad of silk on your back."

He loved to be surrounded by his family and friends who were very "precious" to him.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the faithful friends and caregivers who were so devoted to him.

Vernon Lucas Dixon, Sr. is survived by four children, Vernon Lucas Dixon, Jr. and wife Barbara "Barbie," Verna Louise Dixon Fletcher and husband William "Bill," Susan Elizabeth Dixon, and Bobbie Ruth Dixon Shaffett and husband Dudley "Sonny; as well as grandchildren, Benjamin "Ben" Shaffett and wife Brandy, William Hayes Fletcher, Jr., and Lucas Charles Fletcher; and greatgrandchildren, Presley Ann Shaffett and Anthony Joseph "AJ" Shaffett. He is survived by one sibling, Loretta Dixon Brignac (Herman).

He was preceded in death by an infant son, his wife, Florence "Shine" Bozeman Dixon; his "Mama" and "Papa," John Lucas Dixon and Bonnie Eloise Kizer Dixon; his brothers, John Dixon, Malcolm Dixon, Aubrey Dixon "Dooley" Dixon, and Rev. Miner Dixon; and sisters, Eva D. Sholar, Estelle Dixon, Elva D. Wheat, Dorothy D. Guins, Hilda Dixon, and Bonnie Lou Dixon.

Visitation will be held at Jefferson Baptist Church in Baton Rouge from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday evening, October 7, 2016, and will resume Saturday morning, October 8, at 9 a.m. until services at the church led by Dr. T.C. French and Dr. David Goza begin at 11 a.m. Graveside burial services to follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory which is handling funeral arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gideon's International, www.gideons.org.

Visitation

Jefferson Baptist Church
9135 Jefferson Hwy.
Baton Rouge, LA  70809
Friday, October 7, 2016
5:00 pm-8:00 pm

Jefferson Baptist Church
9135 Jefferson Hwy.
Baton Rouge, LA  70809
Saturday, October 8, 2016
9:00 am-11:00 am

Service

Jefferson Baptist Church
9135 Jefferson Hwy.
Baton Rouge, LA  70809
Saturday, October 8, 2016
11:00 am

Cemetery

Resthaven Gardens of Memory
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816