Margaret Ann (Arledge) Dixon

Margaret Ann (Arledge) Dixon was born in Jemison, Alabama, the firstborn of seven children, to Bessie Vonciel (Thrash) and Arnold Arledge. Our Mom passed away on Saturday, January 24, 2026, after a short battle with an aggressive form of cancer.

Our mother always had a bright spirit. In raising six children, being Mom to those of our friends when they needed a mother, and numerous days she spent stretching meals and making our clothes, she gave her all to keep us together with her love and strength. Throughout the years, our mom was the Matriarch of the family. She was one of seven children on her Arledge family side, and she is the last surviving spouse on the Dixon side. She treated our spouses with love and care, as she did with the eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren. A fifth generation, a Great-great-grandchild due in May to expecting parents, Samantha and Zach, decided their baby girl will be her namesake.

Our Mom made delicious Southern meals of fried chicken, homemade biscuits, cornbread, chicken and dumplings, turnip greens, chicken ‘n dressing, German chocolate cake, her mother’s seven-layer fudge chocolate cake, red velvet cake, lemon & chocolate meringue and coconut pies, and the best fried tacos, and these are a few, to name a few. Mom took us to all our events for school, and it was a lot with six kids over those many years. I recall her making breakfast every morning; while we were all eating our meals at the breakfast table, she stood there putting together six lunches in brown bags. I wonder how many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and Little Debbie snack cakes were put into lunches. There were many times our dad told mom, at the last minute, that he had invited a bunch of people over for a fish fry, when there probably wasn’t enough fish to feed everyone. However, mom would always figure it out and add on more slaw, hush puppies & dessert. There was always plenty of delicious food.

Loving memories are left to be cherished by her five children and a Daughter-in-law: Beverly (Billy) Jones, Montgomery, AL; Joy (T. Daniel) Newman, Dadeville, AL; Jacquelyn (Michael) Swain, Alexander City, AL; Wendy (C. David) Flamand, Huntsville, AL; Daryl (Marcia) Dixon, Smyrna, TN; and Gena Kay Dixon, Montgomery, AL.She will remain in the memories of her eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren: Jessica Sanford, Eclectic, AL; Lori (David) Leach, Carrollton, GA; Steven Dixon, Auburn, AL; Ashley White, Montgomery, AL; Chad (Kacie) Bennington, Deatsville, AL; Colby Newman, Birmingham, AL; Haley Jones, Orange, NH; and Cole Dixon, Nashville, TN. Her six great-grandchildren are Andrew Guillot, Madison, AL; Samantha (Zach) Hall, Wetumpka, AL; Laiken Judy, Deatsville, AL; Bo Sanford, Eclectic, AL; Luke Bennington, Deatsville, AL; and Cassius White, Montgomery, AL. Margaret is also survived by four siblings, a sister, Helen Newell, Yulee, FL, and three brothers, Gerald Arledge, Deatsville, AL; Danny Ray Arledge, Montgomery, AL; and A. Max (Carol Warhola) Arledge, Anderson, SC. She also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends that will affectionately and lovingly miss her Southern hospitality, and her memories will linger forever in their hearts.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents Vonciel and Arnold Arledge; by her husband of 54 years, Harold “Bo” Dixon; by her eldest son, Randy Dixon; along with two siblings, a sister, Carol Arledge, and a brother Donald Arledge. She was also preceded in death by her three Arledge sisters-in-law, Iris, Teresa, and Linda “Lynn.” She was preceded in death by her Dixon in-laws, Beulah (Barfield) and Lonnie Dixon; and five siblings and spouses, Clifton Dixon, Darlington, SC; Mildred and J.T. Hawkins-, Blacksburg, SC; Eddie and Barbara Dixon, Pensacola, FL; Robert and Pearl Dixon, Barnwell, SC; and Dorothy and Wade Norris, Darlington, SC.

The family will visit with friends from 12:00-1:00 PM at Alabama Heritage Funeral Home, 10505 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, AL. The Funeral Service will be at 1:00 PM, with graveside service to follow.

As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to Prattmont Baptist Church, in lieu of flowers.