Hayden Dixon

Hayden Dean Dixon Sr., 81, of Rockingham, died Monday, Feb. 11, 2019 at Hospice Haven surrounded by his family. Mr. Dixon was born in Richmond County on Sept. 2, 1937, the youngest of 10 children to Howard Britton Dixon Sr. and Mellie Barfield Dixon. He was a member of the Hamlet Church of God of Prophecy, where he served in numerous capacities, including the music department, Sunday School, treasurer and deacon. He retired from Sara Lee Hosiery after more than 34 years of service as Maintenance Manager with Sandhurst and Aleo plants. Mr. Dixon proudly served seven years in the U.S. Army, where he earned several awards in artillery and recruiter training. He was an excellent guitarist, founding the country group Hayden Dixon and the Dixie Ramblers and his family southern gospel singing group, The Dixon Family. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 12, at the Hamlet Church of God of Prophecy and at other times at the home of his daughter, Donna and Charles Whitley, in Rockingham. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13, at the church, with Bishop Steve Crews and Bishop Mackie Walters officiating. Burial will follow at Richmond Memorial Park. Mr. Dixon was predeceased by his parents; his wife of over 50 years, Beatrice Dixon; sisters, Beatrice Smith, Lib Pratt; brothers, Larry Dixon, HB Dixon, Alfred Dixon. Surviving are his children, Donna Whitley (Charles) of Rockingham, Dean Dixon (Linda) of Hamlet, Dale Dixon (Robin) of Rockingham, Danny Dixon of Rockingham, Doug Dixon (Lori) of Hamlet, Darin Dixon (Christy) of Hamlet; grandchildren, Jason Dixon, Adam Dixon, Whitney McLaurin (Bryan), Chris Whitley (Cameron), Kimberly Bowden (Chuck), Zac Gerald, Zoe Dixon, Seth Dixon (Astrid), Bryce Dixon (Julianne), Braxton Dixon, Carson Dixon; great-grandchildren, Abigail Dixon, Tyler Dixon, Aden Dixon, Tristin McLaurin, Brylee McLaurin, Holden Whitley, Kaleigh Bowden, Kennedi Bowden, Adriel Dixon, Easton Dixon and baby Beckett Dixon due this month; and brothers, Deward Dixon of Gambrills, Maryland, Gordon Dixon of Hamlet. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association-Western Carolina Chapter, 4600 Park Road, Ste 250, Charlotte, NC 28209 or Richmond County Hospice Haven, 1119 Hwy 1 N, Rockingham, NC 28379. The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to the caregivers of their dad, Lori Dixon and Joanne Everett, as well as the staff of the SPARKS unit of Richmond Pines and Richmond County Hospice. Harrington Funeral Home is serving the family. Condolences may be made online at www.harringtonfuneralhome.com.