Irene Eleanor (Thomas) Dixon

Mrs. Irene Eleanor Thomas Walker Dixon, age 96, of Blackshear, passed away Sunday afternoon (2/13/22) at her residence surrounded by her loving family and caretakers following an extended illness.

Born July 5, 1925 in Washington D.C., she was a daughter of the late Lawrence B. and Annie Lee Cole Thomas.  She lived a few years in Petersburg, VA before moving to Pierce County in 1935. She was a 1942 graduate of Blackshear High School and then worked as an assistant to Dr. L.M. Hawkins. She had also worked as the Head Dietician for the Pierce County Hospital, as well as working as a caterer and wedding planner.  She had also worked at the Dakki Shoppe and for the Blackshear Flower Shop and Shamrock Florist, but for many years, she worked her most important position as a loving housewife, mother, and grandmother.

An active member of Blackshear First Baptist Church, she attended the Alert Sunday School Class, the Alathean Sunday School Class, the JOY Group, and was a member of the WMU.

She was also a former member of the Pierce County DFACS Board, serving as chairman for 9 years and also a member of the P.E.O./Chapter AK Sisterhood.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, LaCount Walker; second husband, Benjamin T. Dixon; son, Leon D. Walker; infant daughter, Tamara Walker; sister, Helen Howard; and 2 brothers, Howard Thomas and Joe Thomas.

Survivors include her 2 daughters, Cassie Todd (husband Raymond) of Blackshear and Laurie Littlefield (husband Dan) of Waycross; 7 grandchildren, Wendy Tillman of Brunswick, Ben Walker (wife Jill) of Cumming, GA, Walker Todd (wife Jill) of Blackshear, Jaime Carter (husband Michael) of Blackshear, Matthew Walker (wife Tiffany) of Brunswick, Stape Littlefield of Atlanta, Luke Littlefield of Savannah, 14 great grandchildren, Dane Tillman, Olivia Tillman, Jake Tillman, Reed Walker, Sara Kay Walker, Logan Todd (fiancé Hunter Cecil), Leigha Todd, Todd Carter, Ceb Carter, Elizabeth Ann Walker, Harrison Walker, Griffin O’Quinn, Tucker O’Quinn, and Patrick O’Quinn; 2 step-daughters, Sheila Barnard Cole (husband Bill) of Brunswick and Beth Pritchard (husband Tommy) of Blackshear and their families; 2 daughters-in-law, Sara Walker of Brunswick and Loretta Walker Holmes of Blackshear; sister-in-law, Mildred Walker Dowling of Blackshear; special friends and sitters, Hazel and Arthur Carter, Jackie Godwin, Linnie Daniels, Freda Grissom, and Deborah Sweat; and many other relatives.

A funeral service will take place Wednesday morning (2/16/22) at 11 a.m. at Blackshear First Baptist Church. A private burial will take place at Blackshear City Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the church on Wednesday one hour prior to the service.

The family request that all former employees and members of the Pierce County DFACS Board, her P.E.O. Sisters, and the Blackshear First Baptist Church Alert Sunday School Class to serve as honorary pallbearers. Please be at the church by 10:45 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Blackshear First Baptist Church, 670 Main Street, Blackshear, GA 31516; Hospice Satilla, 808 Evergreen Way, Waycross, GA 31503; or to the Pierce County Food Pantry, 801 Hendry Street, Blackshear, GA 31516.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.hartfh.com.

Hart Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.

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