Mary Dixson

Mary Joyce Dixson, age 74, of Knoxville, Tennessee, gained her heavenly wings and transitioned home on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 14, 2023. She was born November 28, 1948, to Palmer Lyons and Joy Beavers Lyons. She was a graduate of Austin High School class of 1967. She held many talents and was employed as a Legal Secretary at Tennessee Valley Authority and the University of Tennessee General Counsel, where she retired in 2018.

She married her best friend and lifelong partner. She loved her family and friends dearly; they meant everything to her. She loved the Lord, and her belief in Jesus Christ was her foundation and strength. She believed in celebrating every occasion, including holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and achievements.

She loved hard and gave all that she had. She always wanted others to feel good … she treated others the way that she wanted to be treated. She was an encourager to others even when she wasn’t encouraged. She always met people where they were, and she would encourage you in whatever way you needed. She was a prayer warrior and believed in the power of prayer.

She always loved music and truly enjoyed praise and worship. She had a heart of gold. She desired to please God in all things and was ready to meet her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She lived fully and fought the good fight until God called her home. 

Preceded in death by her parents, the love of her life for fifty years, husband David R. Dixson, Jr.; daughter, Angela Dixson Martin; and siblings, Gail Montgomery and Raymond Callahan.

Joyce is survived by daughter Dr. Cynthia (James) Shelton, son David (Angel) Dixson; grandchildren, Christopher Downs, Victoria Martin, Arianna Dixson and Roman Dixson; sister, Ivy (Clifford) Goethie; brothers, Van Lyons, Donald Lyons, Kenny Lyons; nieces, Brittany Wrushen and Ebony (Wayne) Byrd; nephews, Michael (Tina) Lyons and family, Sean Michael, Brielle, Brayden Lyons, Nasir Byrd, Nigel Byrd, many cousins, extended family members and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Dixson, please visit our floral store.