Dolores L. Dixon, PhD

Dolores Lloyd Dixon, 88, of Cambridge, Maryland passed away on November 11, 2024 at Candle Light Cove in Easton, Maryland.

Dolores was born in Wilmington, Delaware on December 13, 1935 to the late George E. Lloyd and Sara Elizabeth Lloyd. She grew up in Newark, Delaware and graduated with Honors from Newark High School in 1953. She then graduated from The University of Delaware in 1957 with a B.S. Degree in Home Economics. Soon after getting married, Dolores received her Master’s Degree from University of Maryland at College Park; and in 1982, received her PhD from the University of Maryland at College Park in Agriculture and Extension.

 As a young teenager Dolores joined a 4-H Club in New Castle County, Delaware. It proved to be a life changing decision. She took to 4-H like a duck takes to water. Poultry was her major project which helped pay her college tuition by selling the chickens and eggs that she raised. During her 4-H career, she earned three trips to compete at the National level at the National 4-H Congress in Chicago for Dairy Foods, Poultry, and Leadership. One of her many part time jobs while attending University of Delaware was working in the Delaware 4-H leadership office. After graduating from the University of Delaware, she accepted a position as Assistant Home Demonstration Agent in Dorchester County to work with the 4-H program. In 1959 she was appointed Home Demonstration Agent. On April 19, 1959 she married her late husband of 54 years, William Edward Dixon. In 1961, she was appointed Home Demonstration Agent working with homemakers and other adult programs. A year later she was named Extension Director and stayed in that position until leaving when her son was born.

 After taking 4 years off for the birth of her son, she was able to return to The Dorchester Extension Office as an Extension Agent for the county. Her concentration was on low-income programs - particularly in food and nutrition. She remained in that position for the next 24 years, retiring in 1991 as the Extension Director for a second time in Dorchester County with 34 years in Extension.

 Dolores loved her job and met many people who would become lifelong friends. Her job took her all over the county, state, and to yearly National meetings with the NACEHE (National Association of Extension Home Economics). She was very active in the National level of extension by serving on two different committees in 1977 and 1978. In 1978 she was Maryland’s winner of the NAEHE Distinguished Service Award at the National meeting held in Omaha, Nebraska. In 1985 she was one of four home economists in the nation to be selected by The National Association of Home Economists to accompany the wife of the United States Secretary of Agriculture and 26 other women to Asia, visiting the Republic of China (where she stood on the Great Wall), Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea. Throughout these countries she toured many farms, food processors, and many seafood markets.

 Dolores’ hobbies and interest included cooking, an avid reader, and she was a very accomplished seamstress. For her wedding, she made her wedding dress and all of her bridesmaid’s dresses as well. She also enjoyed traveling. Dolores and her husband enjoyed many cruises in their retirement-visiting many islands and countries. In 2006, with cruises to Alaska and Hawaii, Dolores and Ed finally visited all 50 United States. However, her greatest interest and hobby were her family - especially her granddaughters - whom she adored and was very proud of. She was thrilled to have been able to see them both graduate from college.

 She was a member of The American Legion Auxiliary Post 91, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, The Dorchester Retired Educators Association, Dorchester AARP #1278, Dorchester Center for the Arts, Dorchester Historical Society, Cambridge Elks 1272, The University of Delaware Alumni Association, and The University of Maryland Alumni Association. She also served on the Board of Directors for Pleasant Day Adult Care. Dolores attended Immanuel United Church of Christ where she served on the Missions Committee and was a 50-year member of Grace United Methodist Church in Cambridge.

 Dolores is survived by her son William Allen Dixon (Michal), twin granddaughters Kate and Laura Dixon, and her grand dog Coale. She is also survived by a brother Gene Lloyd (Patricia), sister Carole Robinson, and nieces and nephews Holly Sporidis, Keith Lloyd, Galen Robinson, Elisa Thompson, Erica Yarrington, and many great nieces and nephews. Pall bearers will be members of the family. 

 A funeral service will be held on Monday, November 18, 2024 at 11:00 at Immanuel Church of Christ, 5401 Whitehall Road Cambridge, Maryland 21613 with Pastor Dale Krotee officiating. Interment will follow at Dorchester Memorial Park. Family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 at the church. Donations can be made to Retired Educators (DRSPA), c/o Beverly Dayton-Spear 904 Roslyn Ave., Cambridge, Maryland 21613.