Emma Carlene Dixon, lovingly known as Carlene or Granny, passed away on October 28, 2026, in Jacksonville, Florida, at the age of 87.

Carlene was a woman who understood that love was more than words. She worked hard, gave freely, and never needed recognition for the things she did for others. She showed her love in practical ways, through quiet acts of kindness and in the everyday moments that often go unnoticed but leave the deepest mark. She had a way of making people feel that they mattered, that they were cared for, and that they were never alone when they needed someone.

She opened her heart and her home to many different people, offering a place of comfort, kindness, and belonging to those who crossed her path. She had a way of making people feel welcome and cared for, often in ways that went far beyond what words could express. The impact she made on those lives is immeasurable, and the lessons she taught continue to shape the people they have become. Her legacy lives in the hearts of those she loved, in the values she instilled, and in the kindness they carry forward because of her.

Her faith was an important part of her life’s story. Alongside her beloved husband, Reverend Earl Dixon, Carlene helped establish and serve the First Pentecostal Church of Green Cove Springs, where they began their ministry in 1983 and pastored together until Earl’s passing in 2001. Their years of service reflected a deep commitment to faith, family, and community, leaving a lasting imprint on those whose lives they touched.

Though Carlene endured the heartbreak of losing her beloved husband and both of her children before her own passing, her story continued through the love she gave, the people she cared for, and the example she set. Her life reflected a faith lived through actions: a helping hand, an open heart, and a willingness to be there when someone needed her. The strength she carried and the love she shared remained a testament to the woman she was.

Carlene was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Reverend Earl Dixon, and her two children, Sherry and Jay. She leaves behind her grandchildren, Jeb, Nicole, and Sarah; her great-grandchildren, Aaron, Anthony, Dominic, Chloe, Mikayla, Levi, and Rainy; and her great-great-grandchildren, Zachary and Brantley. The love she poured into her family and the many others she embraced will continue to live on through generations.

While her passing leaves an emptiness that words cannot fully express, her life leaves behind something just as powerful: a legacy of love, strength, generosity, and faith. She taught those around her that family is not defined by blood alone, that kindness does not need an audience, and that some of the most meaningful things we do in this life are the things we do simply because someone needs us.

May she rest in the peace of her Lord Jesus Christ, reunited with her beloved Earl, and may those who loved her find comfort in the promise of eternal life.

The family will receive friends from 10:00am to 11:00am on Monday, November 2, 2026, in the Broadus-Raines Chapel and funeral services will begin at 11:00am with Reverend Jerry Dean officiating. Burial will follow at Hickory Grove Cemetery.