Rev. Bob Dixon

Archie Bob Dixon passed away at Archbold Memorial Hospital on April 10, 2021. He is the son of the late Bernard and Pearl Dixon. Mr. Dixon was valedictorian of his high school class of 1951. He’s studied at Emory of Oxford, Emory at Valdosta, Candler School of Theology, Emory University in Atlanta and received the Master of Christian Education degree. He served 65 years of ministry in the Methodist Church as Diaconal Minister of Christian Education, serving churches in Montgomery, Ala.; Albany, Ga., Macon, Ga.; Savannah, Ga.; Atlanta, and Thomasville, Ga. He became an ordained minister after retirement in 1999 and continued to serve part time until 2019. He served on numerous committees at the local, state, national, and global level of The United Methodist Church. His passion was the ministry for older adults where he created an older/retired adult ministry group in each church he served. He was an Eagle Scout and the first recipient of the God and Country award in Georgia.

Being well known for his artistic abilities, Landmarks Inc. and Archbold Hospital of Thomasville commissioned him to draw two major series of Georgia Plantations and historic buildings. In 1987 he was invited to the White House to present a watercolor of the Mister Lincoln Rose to First Lady Nancy Reagan in honor of the designation of the rose as the National Flower. In 1988 he was commissioned by Georgia Citizens for the Arts to paint and present a watercolor painting of the Georgia state flower, The Cherokee Rose, and presented the painting to Gov. Joe Frank Harris. In 1991, a print of the Cherokee Rose painting raised over $70,000 for Georgia Rotary Student Program. The Georgia District #6900 of Rotary International also commissioned prints of this painting as a gift for citizens of Japan, Australia, and Germany. In 1989 he was commissioned to paint the Queen Elizabeth Rose that was presented to Queen Elizabeth II for the Buckingham Palace Collection. In 1993 he was awarded Georgia Rotary Student Program Will Watt fellow award and the Thomasville-Thomas County Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year. He illustrated seven books and presented solo art shows in Tallahassee, Columbus, Thomasville, Fitzgerald, Macon and Albany.

“I paint for my own enjoyment and because of a spark within me that drives me to the process. For me, this is that creative image of God in which we were all created. I let the subject dictate the medium and make extensive use of my camera. The process is a visual investigation of nature, be it a flower, trees, or a landscape. When the image comes into focus I always catch my breath at what I see. As I begin the process of painting, I believe the elements of nature are signatures of God and my desire in painting them is to help others read the signatures.”- A. Bob Dixon.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Betty Dixon; children, Robin Dixon Strong of Tacoma, WA, James Jeffrey Dixon of Tallahassee, FL, Laura Kyle Dixon Burton of Thomasville, GA, and Dennis Nolan of Tallahassee, FL; 4 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren and sister Bernardene Dixon Lesbirel of Crystal River, FL.

There are no services planned at this time. A celebration of his life will be held when considered safe. Contributions may be made to The First United Methodist Church older adult ministry, 425 North Broad Street, Thomasville, Ga 31792. Family and friends are invited to visit his online tribute at allenfh.com.