Services for Artist Billie Dean Dixon July 28 at Life Change Christian Center

Billie Dean Dixon (Woods), known for her love of Christmas and having the largest tree possible fit into her living room, lost her battle with cancer on Monday, July 19, 2011, at St. Vincent Hospital here in Portland, Or.

A viewing will be held Wednesday, July 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ross Hollywood Funeral Chapel. Funeral services are Thursday, July 28, at 11 a.m. at the Life Change Christian Center, 3536 N Williams Ave.

Internment and graveside tribute will be at Finley-Sunset Hills Mortuary, 6801 Sunset Highway, in the Lower Eagle Section, at approximately 1 p.m.

There will be a reception following internment at Life Change Christian Center (Art of Living); from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Billie's artwork will be available for purchase with proceeds going to her two grandchildren for continued education.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 and decided to retire from her long-time job of twenty six years at TriMet to take on the challenge of living her life with grace, and focus on her artwork while being treated for her illness. 

Billie was born on the 28th of July 1946, in Seminole, Texas, to Matt Woods and Mozell Adkison.  She attended Cascade Community (Art), Job Corps in Tongue Point, Or. and Hobbs High in New Mexico, and moved to Portland over 40 years ago. 

Billie loved bowling, softball and baton twirling, and was the winner of state and local competitions in her youth. As an adult she founded and led local drill teams including the King School Drill Team, and the Portland Flamingoes, based out of the old Highland Elementary now known as King School Elementary, where she supervised and led hundreds of kids through parades held throughout the Portland Metro area, and SW Washington.  She was a faithful and active member of Albina Christian Center, and a past member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church.

Always one to help a friend or family in need she volunteered her time in recent years to youth programs such as REAP, Inc. (Reaching and Empowering All People).  Inspired to give back she donated her time to organizations that supported her throughout her cancer treatments to health related projects including, Relay for Life and the Susan G. Komen Foundation raising money to increase awareness of breast and other cancers.  In 2010 she donated artwork for Celebrity Cancer Slumber Party hosted by former Sen. Margaret Carter, Peggy Ross and Sheila Holden.

Billie is survived by her son Myron Dixon, her daughter, (Sunshine) LaShawn Dixon, her two grandchildren Terrell and Khendra Dixon, her siblings, Loyce Thompson, Kay F. Calloway, and Claudette Bates.  Other family and close friends include: Ricky Woods, Sammy Woods Jr., Crystal Woods, Patress Bates, Camille Bates, Syreeta Bates, Aaronette Bates, Tonya Garrett, Paul Frazier, Tony Frazier, Donald Dixon Jr., and De Angela Dixon.  She will be mourned by dear friend and former husband Paul Dixon. Other family and in-laws, include the (Late Forty Dixon) and Ethel Dixon, Don Calloway, (Late Bill Bates), Betty Sue Brooks, Jewel Lee Nesbit, Dorothy Woods, Evelyn and her extended family, Bob and Judy Boyer (Keylah Fraizer), Trudy Carr, Carolyn Lewis, Benny Thomas, Berry Family, Billy Butler, Verlee Butler, Faye Jackson, George M. Adkison, Candice Adkison, Marcus Adkison, Carolyn Adkison, Johnnie Mae Adkison, Billie Rose Adkison, Shirley Ann Adkison, Paul Adkison, the Woods Family, Taylor Family and the Winona Allen family.  She will be remembered and mourned by loving friends, Linda Jones, Alice Chaney, Gwen Moreland, Thelma Everson, Joslyn Edmonson, Brenda Chapman the late Barbara Jean Taylor, Mother Leola Green and John McGee, Mc Gee-Carroll family and her very special Rottweiler, "Angel".  Billie was preceded in death by her parents Matt Woods and Mozell Adkison, and her brother Sammy Woods.

The service will be officiated by Bishop Marcus Irving (Honorary – Bishop Samuel Irving) and Host Pastor Mark Strong.

Pallbearers include Sammy Woods, Jr., Paul Frazier, Barry Taylor, Kevin Taylor, Rashad Taylor, Key'mere Bates. Honorary Pallbearers will be Drake Taylor, Keean Woods, and Donald Dixon Jr., Ricky Woods, Marcus Adkison.