Forrest Robert Dixon

passed away peacefully on January 31 at the Forwood Manor in Wilmington, DE... Born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina on April 12, 1929, he was the eldest son of the late Forrest Robert Dixon, Sr., and Elizabeth Parker Dixon. The family moved to Portsmouth, Virginia when he was young. He attended I.C. Norcom Senior High School in Portsmouth, Virginia, Winston-Salem State University, and Morgan State University. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Vinetta White, Ruth Rankins, James and William Dixon, and his grandson Antonio Marquies Stateman. Upon completing College, Forrest worked as a teacher in the Virginia School System, and later served in the US Army. After his honorable discharge he resumed his career as an educator. During his career, Forrest taught in the public school systems of Virginia, Philadelphia, Wilmington, and the Brandywine School District. He retired from the Brandywine School District, where he taught at P. S. Du Pont Elementary School in 1990. He enjoyed teaching young people. While at P. S. Du Pont Elementary School he started a chess club and taught the young students how to play the game. Forrest also owned a franchise in the Seven Eleven Chain and operated the store at North Market Street and Concord Pike. Before retirement, Forrest was very active in his church, community, fraternity, and local politics. As an Elder and former member of First and Olivet and Church of Our Savior Presbyterian Churches he was very dedicated and faithful in his attendance and service in numerous capacities in both churches. Forrest was a dedicated Christian who walked strong and proudly in his faith. The day before he passed he had his weekly Bible Study Session with his beloved friend, Mr. Ernest Carter who was committed and dedicated in his weekly Bible study Sessions with him. Forrest was always there to help those in need of his assistance. As a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., he was active in his fraternity's community and political outreach activities in New Castle County. He was a member of the Wilmington and Delaware State Conference of Branches of the NAACP, where served for many years on the Executive, Education and Political Action Committees. He worked tirelessly as an educational advocate for the children of the City of Wilmington as a member and officer of the Coalition to Save Our Children. He was a member of the Harriet Tubman Historical Society and participated in many Underground Railroad Tours up and down the eastern United States. He will be remembered as a loving and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, godfather, sibling, uncle, cousin, and friend to the many people he cherished loved and supported in life. Forrest is survived by and leaves to cherish his memories, a loving and devoted wife, Beatrice Patton Dixon; daughter, Carolyn D. Stateman (Donald); 4 granddaughters, La Trice R. Stateman, Caroleeta L. Smith, Dominique S. Johnson, Andrea A. Stateman-Odom (Keith); 8 great-grandchildren; godson Mark C. White II; cousin Frank Dixon (Florence); sisters in law Barbara L. Wilkins and Sherry D. Patton; brothers-in-law Ronald B. and Donald B. Patton; nieces Gail Agbugui, Ann Rene Challenger and Shawn Dixon; and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends. Read Forrest Dixon, Jr.'s Obituary and Guestbook on houseofwrightmortuary.com.