House Resolution 88

A RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. ROY L. DIXON, SR., AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, it is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, on February 18, 2023, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mr. Roy L. Dixon, Sr., to eternal rest, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family, friends and community; and

WHEREAS, born on October 17, 1942, in Georgetown, Mississippi, Mr. Dixon was the eleventh child born to Mr. Sebie and Mrs. Louisa Mallard Dixon, and he attended Brushy Creek High School, and growing up, he was a faithful member of New Hope M.B. Church in Georgetown; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Dixon moved to Jackson, Mississippi, in 1959, where he joined St. Luther M.B. Church, serving as a trustee and on the ushers board, and he later became an active member of the Temple of Yah; and

WHEREAS, true love struck, and in 1961, Mr. Dixon exchanged the vows of holy matrimony with Ms. Maxine Haley of Crystal Springs, Mississippi, and to this union, six children were born, three boys and three girls; and

WHEREAS, always a hard worker, Mr. Dixon grew up working from sunup to sundown on a farm, growing all types of vegetables, and hauling pulpwood and logs, and he began working at Illinois Central Gulf Railroad, where he retired after 20 years, becoming one of the company's first African-American car inspectors, and during that time, he also worked at the Mississippi School Supply Company, starting out working in the warehouse, and because of his exceptional work ethic, he was later promoted to the salesman position, becoming the first African-American to hold that position; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Dixon also later owned a janitorial service and a record shop in Crystal Springs, and while never passing up an opportunity, he learned how to cook pork skins from Mr. John Holland, and as the producing and selling of pork skins became a huge success, in April 1974, he built his first building to manufacture Dixon's Fried Pork Skins next to his home; and

WHEREAS, trailblazing a path for future entrepreneurs, Mr. Dixon became the first African-American in Mississippi to be approved by the State Health Department and to be USDA Inspected, as well as the first African-American in Mississippi to manufacture and distribute his own product to be sold in stores; and

WHEREAS, in 1980, Mr. Dixon moved to a 10,000 square foot building on Lynch Street, and in 1982, he was the first to bring Jay's Potato Chips to Jackson, Mississippi, and there were numerous awards given as a result of his business from 1980 until 1983; and

WHEREAS, throughout his illustrious career in business, Mr. Dixon was tremendously successful and received over 40 different awards and other recognitions as an entrepreneur, such as Entrepreneur of the Year for the Southern Region of the Small Business Association, the 1984 Minority Business Award from Jackson, Mississippi, in which he was invited to Washington, D.C., where President Ronald Reagan spoke to him and others in the Rose Garden and recognized him for his outstanding achievement, and an award that was presented to him by former Mississippi Governor, William Winter, at a luncheon at the Governor's Mansion, and in 1986, he was featured in the USA Today paper, as well as a Mississippi Today book in 1988; and

WHEREAS, dedicated to excellence, Mr. Dixon established scholarships where he sent 15 students to Jackson State University, a truly honorable effort; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Dixon later partnered with N.L. Carson and built a 20,000 square foot building in Carthage, Mississippi, named Central Snacks, Inc., and currently, Mr. Carson, along with several employees, manufactures Dixon Pork Skins and other products, and he has distributors in several different states; and

WHEREAS, although Mr. Dixon experienced some difficult moments while in business, that did not stop him from pursuing his dream as he understood that success does not come easy, it takes hard work, and sometimes disappointments; and

WHEREAS, devoted to his faith, Mr. Dixon believed that putting God first was most important and was committed to sharing his faith, and because of this, the late Sheriff McMillan of Hinds County, Mississippi, agreed for him to teach at Raymond Detention Center, and he began teaching on Tuesday nights, and later started teaching downtown in the Jackson Police Department jail facility on Thursday nights; and

WHEREAS, a true philanthropist, from 2002 through 2012, Mr. Dixon did not miss a week of teaching at the detention center, even teaching on his birthday and having a birthday party for himself, as he brought the cakes and snacks and they would all celebrate with him, and he would purchase Bibles and reading glasses for those that needed them; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Dixon later began teaching at the Henley-Young Juvenile Detention Center, where his motto was, "You Are Better Than That", and he had pamphlets made for the juveniles to learn the Lord's Prayer, Psalm 23 and the Ten Commandments; and

WHEREAS, with a giving heart and a love for serving others, especially those most in need, Mr. Dixon often gave lunches to sick and bereaved families in their time of need, and he was a person who loved his community and wanted to make a positive difference; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Dixon's passion was to see small African-American businesses thrive and succeed, and he loved people and wanted to see them smile, and he enjoyed a good laugh by telling some of his famous jokes, and as a true man of God, he did not only leave you with a smile, but he also left you with a word of wisdom and encouragement; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Dixon will forever be remembered by his family and community as a loving husband and father, outstanding leader, successful businessman, incredible activist, and a man with extraordinary integrity and wisdom; and

WHEREAS, though he has traversed the river of life to reunite with those who answered God's summons to life eternal and now beckon his arrival to the celestial shores of Heaven's grandeur, such as his parents, Mr. Sebie and Mrs. Louisa Dixon; daughter, Julie Dixon Moses; sisters, Lenora Wilson, Mable Rogers, Rubystyne Brent and Willie Celeste Catchings; brothers, Earl Dixon, Sr., Colie Dixon, Carlee Dixon, Sebie Dixon, Jr., and Wilmer Dixon; the legacy of Mr. Dixon's indelible imprint upon our lives will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of his loved ones, including his devoted wife of 62 years, Mrs. Maxine Dixon; children, Pamerlynn Brown, Darryl Dixon, Barry Dixon, Renea Dixon and Ron Dixon, Jr.; sister, Louise Gordon; sisters-in-law, Catherine Hardin, Sue Washington, Cynthia Shearer and Lynn Brock; brother-in-law, Pete Haley; 15 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Dixon will forever be loved, cherished and missed by all who knew him, and since it is written in 2 Corinthians 5:8, that to be "absent from the body is to be present with the Lord," his family and friends can find peace and comfort during this difficult time; and

WHEREAS, a genuine man of exceptional character, Mr. Dixon's outstanding legacy will continue for generations to come, and precious memories of time spent with him will hopefully continue to provide warmth, peace and comfort to his loved ones; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and honor the lives of extraordinary Mississippians, especially those such as Mr. Dixon, a man whose life's light illuminated the path of hope for all he encountered along this earthly sojourn:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby mourn the loss and honor the life and legacy of Mr. Roy L. Dixon, Sr., and express deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Roy L. Dixon, Sr., and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.