Community bids goodbye to Herb Dixon
Herbert Lee Dixon was laid to rest Saturday, Sept. 5, following the funeral service held at Access Church.
But for those who came to say their final goodbye, it was more than just a funeral and/or a celebration of life. It was a homecoming, according to those who spoke of Dixon and the life he exemplified; a life in which his faith was more than words.
He had God in his heart,” said Bishop Willie Watson Jr., the Overseer of Praise Temple Deliverance Center. It was not an idle statement.
Born Sept. 16, 1919, Dixon knew and tasted segregation firsthand, yet never let it embitter him, said those who knew him. If anything, they said, Dixon used it to teach others to love and to forgive.
More than once during the service, speakers said his faith was more than words. It was put into practice not only at home, not only at church, but also in a place dear to Dixon, the Bartow Golf Course. It was there his love and passion for golf began, starting at age 14 as a caddie.
After he retired from the Black professional tour, the Bartow Golf Course was where he continued playing. In doing so, the course became more than just that.
“He had a way of bringing people together,” said Mayor Tanya Tucker, adding that his presence transformed the golf course into a place where friendships were formed. “You will forever be cherished by the City of Bartow and the Bartow Golf Course.”
However, before her closing remarks, Mayor Tanya Tucker shared an incident that took place on his 100th birthday. A group of people on the course encountered Dixon and serenaded him, singing “Happy Birthday.” With that, Dixon teed off and hit a hole-in-one. His serenaders went crazy with delight.
“It was the kind of moment that couldn’t be planned,” said Mayor Tanya Tucker.
To Carver Young, often referred to as Dixon’s “adopted son,” Herb Dixon loved people. More than just a golfing legend, Dixon loved his community and served it without fanfare, such as feeding people as well as helping students.
Of the latter, Dixon himself excelled at Union Academy (at the time the Black high school during segregation), where he was valedictorian of his graduating class.
At the tail end of the service, his three sons and two daughters reminisced about their father, as did two of his grandchildren. Some of those memories evoked chuckles, while others brought sighs. One “theme” was perhaps poignant simultaneously.
“No matter what the situation, he was probably right 99.9 percent of the time,” said Samuel Dixon. However, that came with a proviso. “You want to be right, but you don’t want to be ‘dead’ right.”
For daughter Glenethel Collins, her father was a man of integrity.
“My dad was a man of his word,” she said. “He taught me to do the right thing.”
Dixon’s granddaughter, Felicia Woods, echoed a similar sentiment.
“Take the high road and yield the low road,” she said. She added that despite his numerous accomplishments and honors, only one thing was truly important. “No matter what he was, he was Granddaddy to me.”
Featured photo and additional photos courtesy of Steve Steiner.
Steve Steiner can be reached at: [email protected]
