Today, we honor a man who understood that a life of purpose is built not in a single moment, but across decades of quiet dedication to God, country, community, and above all, to the family he dearly loved.
Following a sudden and brief time in hospice, Wesley Leon Dixon departed this life on Thursday, April 30, 2026, peacefully at home with his grandson, Naadir, whom he affectionately called “Homie,” by his side. Wesley was born on March 25, 1936, in Warwick County, which is now Newport News, Virginia, to the late William Thomas Dixon, Sr., and Gracie Banks.
His spiritual life began at the age of thirteen when he accepted Christ as his Savior. He joined Colossian Baptist Church and has been a lifelong, devoted member ever since. His favorite scriptures were: Malachi 3:10 “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it” and Deuteronomy 31:6 “be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
In 1957, Wesley married Janice Ann Edlow. This union was blessed with two lovely daughters, Sheree and Rhonda. Although the marriage resulted in divorce, his love and commitment to his daughters have been unwavering and the highlight of his life. In 1989, while in a relationship with Regina Pittman, he was blessed once more with another wonderful daughter, Tiarra.
In 1988, following more than 30 years of service, Wesley retired from the City of Newport News as a manager/supervisor of the Parks and Recreation Department. After years of faithful attendance and performance on the job, Wesley looked forward to and thoroughly enjoyed the freedom that retirement brought. While Wesley didn’t have any specific routines to follow any longer, he quickly developed habits that you could set a clock by. At 10:00 AM, he would have breakfast, usually oatmeal from McDonald’s, get his paper from the Dollar Tree, return home to do crossword puzzles, and watch The Price is Right. Dinner was at 4:00 PM, but at 3:30 PM, he would start dropping hints regarding what he wanted or did not want to eat, except on Thursdays, this was his time with the fellas at Golden Corral. Sundays after church were reserved for breakfast with Sheree. His constant presence and winning disposition made him more than a customer to the employees of these establishments, and most of the staff knew him by name.
It is well known that Wesley was an ardent sports fan, with his greatest passion being baseball. Baseball assumed a special place in Wesley’s heart early on in his life. Wesley played in the semi-professional baseball league in the short-stop and left-field positions for the Yellow Jackets and Fugitives. He looked forward to the Old Timers’ annual game every Labor Day weekend, where he and his friends would reminisce about their glory days and laugh and joke about their escapades. He enjoyed watching the Atlanta Braves, his favorite professional baseball team, and with equal enthusiasm, he cheered for the Pittsburgh Steelers during football season.
Wesley had a naturally engaging and humorous personality that brought joy and laughter to everyone he encountered. Wesley led an unassuming yet fulfilling life. He always left others feeling uplifted, valued, and energized after having been in his presence. His legacy of faith, laughter, love, and strength will live on through all who were blessed to know him. We will miss him deeply, but we will carry forward the best of what he has given us: enduring love, abundant joy, exceptional kindness, and profound goodness.
Wesley leaves to cherish his memories, three daughters, Sheree Dixon Hammond of Newport News, VA, Rhonda Dixon French (Nevyn) of Laurel, MD, and Tiarra Dixon of Hampton, VA; four grandchildren, Naadir French, Najah French (his Butterball), Ta’Zoree Dixon, and Ti’Sire Dixon; one sister, Lillian Miles; one brother, Russel Dixon (Mavis); sister-in-law, Faye Edlow; two devoted nieces, Sandra Hill and Loretta Jones, who were more like younger sisters; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, caring friends, and neighbors.
A service to honor and celebrate Wesley’s life will be held at Noon on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Colossian Baptist Church, with a viewing beginning at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow in the church cemetery.
