Lilla Grace Dixon

Lilla Grace Dixon passed away on September 01 ,2023 at Huntsville Memorial Hospital at age 95. She ascended to Heaven with her two children, Benny Dixon and Paulia Dixon Ward by her side. She was born in Oakhurst, Texas on July 22, 1928 to Bennie Lester McPike and Martha Jane (Currie) McPike. She spent her early years in the Oakhurst/ Willow Springs area. She was young when her mother passed away and she spent a lot of time with her grandparents, Archie Eli and Lona Roberts Currie on their farm in Willow Springs. She always said they had more positive influence on her than anyone in her life especially a strong work ethic. In 1945 Lilla won a beauty contest at her school and caught the eye of her future husband in the audience, Paul R. Dixon from Dodge, Texas. Shortly after his discharge from the military in 1946 they were married and settled in Dodge. They raised cattle on the Dixon Farm, established in 1891. She also worked at JC Penney on the Square in Huntsville, was a Matron at the Goree Unit for the Texas Department of Corrections, and later as a postal carrier. She was often recognized for her work performance and people skills. Lilla loved to meet people and almost always made a connection to the person she was talking to. On more than one occasion she even met someone and found out who she was talking to were kinfolk. She had the ability to establish a quick rapport, and this even played out in the grocery store as it seemed on every aisle, she met someone she knew. Lilla loved humor and some of her favorite people were her Bunco Group members in Dodge. She kept the group entertained with many of her stories and country wit and left many of them shaking their heads about what she said or how she said it. If you wanted to know what she thought about a subject or some of the current issues of the day, just ask and she would give it to you straight whether you liked the answer or not. She also enjoyed the outdoors and her yard where she would bird watch. She could identify every bird call and bird that came into her yard for seed or water, and it was available in abundance. But mainly she enjoyed her faith and family. She was a faithful member of Dodge Baptist Church and one of only two remaining members of the now infamous “Ruth Class” taught by Ms. Gracie Dixon. She made sure that her family members were involved in all aspects of the Church, especially Vacation Bible School and Sunday attendance and there was no room for negotiation. Her most memorable times was traveling the U.S. with her best friend and sister, Esther Underwood from New Waverly, TX. Generally, two other sister-in-law’s or friends accompanied them. After all was done, they had travelled to all the states in the country. Lilla is survived by her brother, Noble Dean (Bubba) McPike, son Benny (Kathleen) Dixon and daughter Paulia Dixon Ward; 5 grandchildren, Nicole Dixon, Corona, Ca. Justin Dixon, Corona, Ca. Travis Dixon, St. George, Utah. Ivan Jack (Ann) Ward, Coolidge, TX. Jim (Jennifer) Ward, Magnolia, TX.; great grandchildren, Savannah Dixon, Foothill Ranch, Ca. Jayden Dixon, Placentia, Ca. Jackson Ward, New York, NY. Rebecca Ward, Waco, TX. Grant (Renee) Ward, Spring, TX. Katheryn (Jordan) Haven, Rosenberg, TX. And various other nieces, nephews, and cousins and one great – great grandchild on the way. Funeral Services will be Saturday, September 09, 2023. Visitation will begin at 10am. at Dodge Baptist Church followed by services at 11am. Burial will be at Dodge Cemetery following services. Lunch and fellowship will be back at the Church following burial. Pallbearers will be, Justin Dixon, Travis Dixon, Jack Ward, Jim Ward, Tyler Little, and Justin Hill. Honorary Pallbearers will be, James Dixon, Ed Farris, Steve Hill, Floyd Hillhouse, and Earl Currie.

Lilla Grace Dixon

July 22, 1928 - September 1, 2023