Ruth M. Dixson 1919–2006

Ruth Dixson, one of our very special saints, has gone to be with the Lord. Her unexpected death occurred only a few days following her participation in the Lord’s supper served in her hospital room by her elders.

Ruth, born in New Galilee, Pa., and her husband James, who preceded her in death in 1993, were members of the Bloomington, Ind., Reformed Presbyterian Church. She was very active in the congregation, serving as precentor and a Sabbath school teacher. She was a member of the congregation’s Phoebes Women’s Missionary Fellowship.

Her daughter, Lena, and son, Leonard, live in Bloomington. Another daughter, Karen Hicks, lives in Beaver Falls, Pa. For her mother’s funeral, Lena prepared a memorial to her mother, read by Pastor Bill Roberts. Several excerpts are repeated here:

“She stated that she could not remember a time when she did not love the Lord Jesus as her Savior. Her understanding of theology grew as she matured in life, and she loved reading, tackling the Puritan writers with perseverance. She did admit that their writings were deep, but the reward was great because it gave her a better understanding of God’s Word and His love for her. She took her baptismal vows seriously and made it plain, on many occasions, that we children were sinners in need of a Savior. Punishment was administered in love, and after one particular session of discipline, Leonard and I decided to run away from home. Thankfully, we just made it to the end of the walk.

“Mother taught the juniors program for many years. The providence of God was especially meaningful to her because she saw His hand in every aspect of life. She was careful to teach these little ones that there is no such thing as luck—God is in control of everything. That lesson was taken to heart, and one family found their cereal box relabeled Providential Charms.”

Ruth Dixson’s loving smile and persistently cheerful disposition are already missed, as are her exquisite chocolate chip cookies. She lived by the Word and did not hesitate to share it with others. Proverbs 31:26 aptly describes her counsel: “She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”

—The Session Bloomington, Ind., RPC