Mary Evelyn Atkins DIXON

Mary Evelyn

Atkins Dixon

Mary Evelyn Atkins Dixon, 83, of Gladstone, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, April 29, 2009, at the home of her daughter, Peggy.

She was born in Halifax County on Sept. 11, 1925, and came to the Gladstone as a young bride to her late husband, 1st Lt. John Henry Dixon of Buckingham County. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel Hale Atkins and Lemma Beatrice Dixon; her stepfather, Jake Davis; and her first grandson, Toby Williams.

Mary was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. In her earlier years, she was a Sunday school teacher and faithful member of the Maple Grove Baptist Church. She was an active supporter of Christian radio programs, the Gladstone Senior Center, and her many homebound friends. Mary served the Lord for many years and in many ways like caring for her father, m other, father-in-law and stepfather in her home until their deaths. Through the years, she opened her home to many relatives and friends, where they enjoyed her coconut pies and cornbread. She loved her house to be full of the sounds of children's voices, laughter and life and made daily jokes almost up to the end, even though she was so very sick with cancer.

She leaves behind her four children, Bootsie and Bear Kelsey of Wasilla, Alaska, John "Bubby" and Lou Dixon, Joanne and Gomer Absher, both of Gladstone, and Peggy Dixon of Madison Heights; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Alan Atkins of Blairs and R. E. Atkins of Biloxi, Miss.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 2, 2009, at Robinson Funeral Home by the Rev. Howard Rosen and Dr. Emmett Dunnavent. Burial will follow in the Dixon Family Cemetery in James River State Park. Following the service there will be a celebration of Mary's life with refreshments at the Gladstone Senior Citizen Center area.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. today, May 1, 2009, at the home of her son, John, 1107 Gladstone Road, Gladstone.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Youth Group at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 1663 Mt. Rush Highway, Dillwyn, VA 23936; Hospice of the Hills, 3300 Rivermont Ave., Lynchburg, VA 24503; or the Friends of the James River State Park, 751 Park Road, Gladstone.

Robinson Funeral Home and Cremation service is serving the family and an online condolence may be sent at www.robinsonfuneral.com.