Howard Haynes Dixon

Mr. Howard ‘Haynes’ Dixon, 91, of the Fortsonia Community, Elberton, husband of 66 years to the late Alice Joyce Johnson Dixon, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 20, 2024.  

The youngest of six children, Haynes was born at home in Elberton on March 1, 1932, son of the late John Frank Dixon and Vonnie Ophelia Rice Dixon. He graduated Nancy Hart Memorial High School and began working at an Abbeville Mill in nearby South Carolina but soon decided his career path would see him join the armed forces. Haynes was a combat veteran who served his nation in the active-duty Air Force retiring as a Chief Master Sergeant. Upon leaving active-duty, he continued his work with the Air Force as a Civil Servant for an additional 23 years totaling a combined 55 years of service to his nation.  

Haynes’ military assignments included the following bases: Lackland AFB TX, Toole Ordinance Depot UT, Ulsan Korea, Nellis AFB NV, Sandia Air Base NM, Westover AFB MA, Kadena Air Base Japan, Cam Rahn Bay Vietnam, Columbus AFB MS, Andersen AFB Guam (2 separate tours), Luke AFB AZ, Seymour-Johnson AFB NC, Osan Air Base Korea, and Robins AFB, GA. 

He was decorated with the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorius Service Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters. His campaign medals included the Korean War and The Vietnam War.  

Haynes was a staunch fan of the Atlanta Braves and the Georgia Bulldogs.  He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing and he especially loved to bring food to life in his garden. He loved to share the fruits of his labor with family and friends; in fact, one of his Colossal Cantaloupes made its way to a TV broadcast with Leroy Powell and Channel 5 news.  

Above all, Haynes was a family man. He loved his family dearly and never missed an opportunity to support them in any way he could.  

Preceding Haynes in death is his son, John Howard Dixon of Alabaster, Alabama. He is survived by his daughter, Katherine Dixon Sutton, and her husband Jerry K. Sutton, both of Marietta, Georgia, and his grandchildren: Brooke Olivia Robinson of Marietta, Georgia and Steven Howard Robinson of Dahlonega, Georgia. Also surviving Haynes is his daughter-in-law, Pam Hardwick of Alabaster, Alabama and grandchildren Christopher Warren Dixon of Chelsea, Alabama and Jennifer Lee Dixon of Irondale, Alabama. Additionally, Haynes is also survived by a dear friend and colleague, Rhonda Hurst, along with several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.  

The family will receive friends on Friday, January 26, from 6:00-8:00p.m. at Berry Funeral Home, 1265 Washington Highway, Elberton, GA 30635.

Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, January 27, at 2:00p.m. at Woodlawn Global Methodist Church, 3780 Brad Dixon Road, Elberton, GA 30635, with a brief graveside service following at Forest Hills Memorial Park with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Haynes’ memory to Woodlawn Global Methodist Church, 3780 Brad Dixon Road, Elberton, GA 30635, or to Friends Helping Friends Club, Inc. Elberton GA.

Those wishing may sign the online guestbook at berryfh.com.

Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton is respectfully in charge of arrangements for Mr. Howard ‘Haynes’ Dixon.