A salute to ‘Alapaha kid’ Joe Dixon

Summary

Joe Dixon, a prominent figure in Alapaha, Georgia, was honored for his extensive contributions to the community and its annual festival, marking his 80th birthday with a special plaque.

Abstract

Joe Dixon, a pillar of the Alapaha community, was recognized by the Alapaha Station Celebration committee for his unwavering dedication to the town's annual festival since its inception in 1981. As a successful pecan grower, business owner, church member, and former two-term mayor, Dixon has played a pivotal role in various aspects of community life. His 80th birthday was celebrated during the festival, with a heartfelt tribute that included a plaque made from 135-year-old heart pine from his grandfather's mule barn, inscribed with a verse from Psalms 1:3. The event brought together multiple generations of the Dixon family, underscoring Joe Dixon's influence and the love and respect he commands within the community.

Opinions

The community holds Joe Dixon in high regard, considering him integral to the Alapaha Station Celebration and the broader Alapaha area.
Joe Dixon's contributions are not only financial and organizational but also deeply personal, as evidenced by the use of family heritage in the commemorative plaque.
The Dixon family is seen as one of the foremost in Alapaha, indicating a deep-rooted connection to the town's history and future.
The author conveys a sense of admiration and appreciation for Joe Dixon's character and his role in the community, suggesting that his legacy is both agricultural and civic.
The choice of biblical verse for the plaque inscription reflects the community's spiritual values and the way they see Joe Dixon's life and work as embodying those ideals.

A salute to ‘Alapaha kid’ Joe Dixon

Joe Dixon, a pecan grower, owner of Dixon Seed & Chemical, member of Alapaha United Methodist Church as well as the Alapaha Station Celebration committee, and two-term mayor of Alapaha during the late ’70s and early ’80s is tickled pink to pose with Miss Georgia Annie Jorgensen in front of Bank of Alapaha’s deposit window on Saturday, November 10, 2018, during the little town with a big heart’s annual fall festival. Photography by Jeremy Roberts

The Alapaha Station Celebration committee recognized a truly one of a kind individual who has been involved in the annual South Georgia fall festival since the beginning when Alapaha marked its centennial in 1981. It takes a bunch of time and money to get the celebration together. He is the celebration’s main man when it comes to raising funds, and over the years he’s also played a significant role in Dixon Seed & Chemical, the Passion Play, Alapaha United Methodist Church, and as mayor of Alapaha. If you wanna know how to grow the best pecans or argue about Wild West black-hatted desperadoes, spend a little while with him. On December 14 a big milestone occurred — his 80th birthday.

The plaque was made with heart pine board from his Grandpa John J. Paulk’s mule barn that is approximately 135 years old. The inscription reads, “Thank you for your dedicated service to the Alapaha Station Celebration and the Alapaha community. From Psalms 1: 3 — ‘And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.’” We salute you, Joe Dixon!

The Dixon’s, one of Alapaha’s foremost families, come together: From left to right are grandson Cavin Dixon, grandson Caleb Dixon, son John Dixon, grandson Clay Dixon, sister Mary Ellen Dixon Crisp, wife Barbara Rowe Dixon, Joe Dixon, son Matt Dixon, granddaughter Ali Dixon, grandson David Dixon, daughter Debra Dixon Dobbs, granddaughter Carmen Dixon, daughter-in-law Genia Vickers Dixon, granddaughter-in-law Kelsi Krohn Dixon, grandson Lane Dixon, baby Micah, granddaughter Joleigh Dixon, Gabi Heard [Holt’s girlfriend], and grandson Holt Dixon in front of the Alapaha Station Celebration entertainment stage on Saturday, November 10, 2018, during the rural South Georgia community’s annual festival. Photography by Jeremy Roberts

How sweet it is to be loved by family: Standing left to right are granddaughter Joleigh Dixon, grandson Clay Dixon, son John Dixon, grandson Lane Dixon, grandson Caleb Dixon, son Matt Dixon, grandson Holt Dixon, grandson Cavin Dixon, and daughter-in-law Genia Vickers Dixon. Seated are granddaughter Carmen Dixon, granddaughter-in-law Kelsi Krohn Dixon, baby Micah, the man of the hour Joe Dixon, grandson Samuel Dixon, wife Barbara Rowe Dixon, and granddaughter Ali Dixon inside the original Bank of Alapaha building beside Becky’s Beauty Salon on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Image Credit: The Joe Dixon Collection

Life is not forever but love surely is: From left to right are the Alapaha Station Celebration committee on Saturday, November 10, 2018, during the annual festival in the little town with a big heart — Bro. Larry Hauser, Jeremy Roberts, Lena Fuller, Sylvia Roberts, Linda Faye Hattaway, Ellen Brogdon, Joe Dixon, Carolyn Sumner, Joan Drawdy, Norma Gaskins, Bryan Horten, Renee Copeland, and Becky Davis. Image Credit: The John Dixon Collection

A plaque presented to Alapaha Station Celebration committee member and former Alapaha, Georgia, mayor Joe Dixon on Saturday, November 10, 2018. It was made with heart pine board from his Grandpa John J. Paulk’s mule barn that is approximately 135 years old. The inscription reads, “Thank you for your dedicated service to the Alapaha Station Celebration and the Alapaha community. From Psalms 1: 3 — ‘And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.’” Photography by Joe Dixon

According to Joe Dixon, “I would say that heart pine board is 135 years old — plus the tree was about 80 years old when it was cut.” Photography by Joe Dixon

A salute to ‘Alapaha kid’ Joe Dixon

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