WAYCROSS — Edward C. “Shorty” Dixon, 97, longtime resident of Waycross, passed away Thursday, August 29, 2024 at Southern Pines of Thomasville under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
Dixon was born August 2, 1927 in Blackshear. He was a graduate of Blackshear High School and joined the United States Navy shortly thereafter.
After his military service, Dixon moved to Waycross and married the love of his life, Beatrice Aletha Lynn, in 1951. They were happily married for 73 years and together they have a daughter, Menza Dixon Krause.
Dixon was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Sally Dixon; his three brothers, Darthell, Ronnie and Bronzal Dixon; and his four sisters: Ilean Baxter, Winlen Walker, Eula Dell Pearson and Deasy Mattox.
He is survived by his wife, Beatrice Aletha Lynn Dixon; daughter, Menza Dixon Krause (John); grandchildren, Maxwell Gordon Mitchell (Sara) and Mason Edward Mitchell (Megan); and great grandchildren, Odin Alexander Mitchell, Ivan Edward Mitchell and Cade Maxwell Mitchell; and many more nieces, nephews and relatives.
Dixon lived a long and generous life. During his career, he worked at Seaboard Coastline Railroad, managed a prosperous pecan orchard, and worked as a lineman for BellSouth from which he would later retire.
He was a devout Christian and a regular member of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church where he served as Deacon, church Treasurer, Usher and on numerous church committees.
In his leisure time you could most often find him tending to his flourishing garden and fruit trees, tinkering away in his shed, or just comfortably sitting under the shade of his carport. And if you could ever spare two minutes to let him tell you the exact number of oranges, pecans or grapefruit he had grown, Dixon would happily let you take home just as many as you could carry.
He loved his family and friends and would never hesitate to tell you just how proud he was of them and how happy he was to see you. Dixon will be sorely missed, but he will live forever in our hearts.
A Celebration of Life memorial service was held Sunday, September 15, 2024 at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church.
Dixon
