Hubert Allen Dixon

(1904-1969)

Young Preacher

Biographical Sketch On The Life Of H.A. Dixon

     Hubert Allen Dixon was born October 3, 1904, at Delrose, Tennessee, in Lincoln County. His parents were Albert and Mary C. (Sumners) Dixon.  

     Schools that he attended were Morgan Prep School, Middle Tennessee University, Freed-Hardeman College, University of Alabama (B.A.). He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Both Harding University and Pepperdine University presented Dixon with an LL.D.

     On October 5, 1929, Dixon married Mary Louise Cowan. To this union one boy and one girl were born. The son was named Hubert Allen, Jr., and the daughter was named Sara (now Mrs. Glenn Sargent).  

     Dixon began preaching in 1936 in Memphis, Tennessee. Places where he did full time local work were: Martin, Tennessee; Springfield, Missouri (South National Church); Jackson, Tennessee (Highland Church); Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Central Church). States in which he preached were Tennessee, Alabama, Missouri, Kentucky, Mississippi, Massachusetts, New York, Virginia, California, Illinois, Texas, and Louisiana.  

     H. A. Dixon might not be considered by the world as a Bible scholar, but the tremendous things that he accomplished, the positions that he held, the influence that he wielded, the example that he set before us testify that he was. He had a hunger and thirst for a knowledge of the Bible which led him to study it for himself. He read with regularity the works of great men who commented on the sacred scriptures, and took advantage of association with great men who were able to teach him. He worked seven years with G. C. Brewer and the Union Avenue Church in Memphis, Tennessee. Brewer was doubtless a scholar and Dixon considered those years worth more to him than a degree in theology.

      Dixon served on the board of directors for Voice of Freedom. He was a staff writer for Minister's Monthly, and contributed articles to the Gospel Advocate. He was called upon to preach many baccalaureate sermons or addresses, speaking at the University of Mississippi in 1967 on "Some Reasons Why I Believe in God." Christian colleges sought him for many lectures, and he accommodated them when he could. His last lecture was at Harding Graduate School, October 27, 1969, on the theme, "The Church and Sound Doctrine.

     H. A. Dixon became a Christian at the age of 13, being the only one baptized in a meeting in which J. W. Brents did the preaching at Delrose. His father was a devout Christian, a fine song leader and taught singing schools. He saw his mother obey the gospel, knowing that act would cut her off from her own family. The courage of his mother had a profound effect on him throughout his life.  

     He led singing in a meeting at Martin, Tennessee, in which I. A. Douthitt did the preaching. At the close of the meeting the church invited Dixon to serve as their full-time minister. After preaching there for two years he moved to Springfield, Missouri, to work with the South National Church. In 1940 he began preaching for the Highland Church (now Allen and Edgewood) in Jackson, Tennessee. Here he spoke regularly over the radio as one of the opportunities he had to preach the gospel. The next move was to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to work with the Central Church (now Wood Avenue) in 1943. In 1948 the Dixon family moved to Florence, Alabama, to work with the Poplar Street Church (now Wood Avenue).  

     In 1950 N. B. Hardeman retired from the presidency of Freed-Hardeman College. The Board of Directors unanimously selected H. A. Dixon as president of the school. Dixon assumed his office as President of Freed-Hardeman College in June of 1950.  

     Dixon followed the pattern of Hardeman in teaching two Bible classes daily, continuing with only one interruption until his death. He taught the books of Revelation, Hebrews and Romans. In addition, he taught courses on Premillennialism and Christian Evidences. These classes were offered primarily to second and third year students. Classes which gave him opportunity to teach freshmen were the Life of Christ and General Epistles.  

     "Thousands of souls have been saved and strengthened through his firm and courageous proclamation of the Bible. His life and good influence touched the lives of thousands of students. He was nationally and internationally recognized as a faithful gospel preacher, a scholarly teacher and an eminent Christian educator." Two Christian colleges honored him with the LL.D. degree.  

     The foreign student program was very close to his heart. In 1956 he conducted the Far East Fellowship in Japan. 

     A quotation attributed to him is as follows: "We will not fulfill the great commission until we believe with all our hearts that people throughout the world who do not believe in Christ and have not obeyed the gospel are lost unless they do, and that we are lost unless we preach the gospel to all the world."

     Hubert Allen Dixon departed this life November 8, 1969, in the hospital at Jackson, Tennessee. He was survived by his wife, Mary Louise, one son, Hubert Allen, Jr., and one daughter, Sara (now Mrs. Glenn Sargent). Funeral service was conducted at Henderson, Tennessee, with Tom Holland, C. P. Roland, and E. Claude Gardner officiating. Burial was in the City Cemetery at Henderson.  

     In the passing of Hubert Allen Dixon, truly a great soldier of the cross went home to be with the Lord.  

-From In Memoriam, Gussie Lambert, Shreveport, LA, c.1988. pp.71-73  

Location Of The Grave Of H.A. Dixon

Hubert Allen and Louise Dixon are buried in the City Cemetery at Henderson, Tennessee. From I-40 in West Tennessee, take the Hwy 45 exit south. Go through the city of Jackson, and continue south about 15 miles to Henderson. You will be on the bypass in Henderson. Go to you come to Hwy. 100. Turn left and go to the next stop. Turn left on North Church St.. Go about 100 yards and turn into the cemetery on the right. The cemetery will fork close to the entrance. Take the right fork and head to the very rear of the cemetery. Just past a little storage house on the right, stop the car and you will probably see the Dixon grave to your right. Grave faces East.

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