Julia Dixson

Julia Bizzell Robinson Dixson died at Azalea Trace, Pensacola Florida, on January 12, 2011. She was born Julia Bizzell Stewart, in Clinton, N.C. on February 25th, 1915 to Henry Lafayette and Annie Jewell Stewart. She graduated from Women's College (now UNC-Greensboro) in 1937, majoring in Business Education. She married Holt de Raismes Robinson in 1939. They lived in Binghamton, NY, while he completed an Engineering degree from Syracuse University and worked at IBM as an aircraft design/manager. In 1943, the couple returned to Clinton where she taught 8th-grade and high school business courses for Clinton schools and was a partner in the family's business at Sampson Ace Hardware. She was choir director, singer, Sunday school teacher, and guidance counselor at Graves Memorial Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed entertaining friends and relatives at her historic home, now the Ashford Inn. In 1963, she earned the M.S. in Library Science from Appalachian State University. She established two rural county school libraries, where many students learned from her the love of books and reading. Mr. Robinson predeceased her in 1975. She retired as Kerr Elementary School librarian in 1976. In 1977, she married retired Air Force Colonel William (Bill) Dixson, former controller, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Goldsboro, NC, and City Manager. They enjoyed a home at Pine Knoll Shores, (Morehead City) before moving to Azalea Trace in 1986. For 24 years, Col. and Mrs. Dixson have shared friendships, travel, fellowship, and visits with family. Up until recent years they were active members of Trinity Presbyterian Church. She is survived by her three children: Holt de Raismes Robinson, Jr. (Helyn) of Gastonia, NC, Stewart Robinson of Elizabeth City, (Deborah Robinson of Clemmons), and Anne Robinson Hodges (Madison) of Tallahassee, FL; six grandchildren: Holt Robinson, III of Aiken, SC, (Betsy Robinson of Charlotte), Anna Matthews (Shawn) of Charlotte, Matthew Robinson of Clemmons, Lisa Whitfield (Brit) of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Matthew and Emma Hodges, Tallahassee; and four great-grandchildren: Campbell Robinson, Ella and Jack Matthews, and Benjamin and Katie Whitfield; and niece Elizabeth Stewart of Clinton, and Hank (Sweetie) Stewart of Fayetteville all of whom she loved dearly. The family expresses sincere appreciation to the health care providers at Willow Brook Court, Azalea Trace and to her Covenant Hospice team, all of whom have provided excellent, loving, and professional assistance. Memorial gifts may be designated to the music programs in her memory at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Pensacola, FL, or Graves Memorial Presbyterian Church, Clinton, NC. Online condolences may be expressed at www.roselawn-fh.com.