Dorothy Dixon Callahan

On September 21, 1920, James and Bertina Callahan were blessed with the birth of a beautiful daughter. They named her Dorothy Elizabeth Callahan. Some years later, they were blessed with a son Joseph, who predeceased Dorothy by several decades. Dorothy was called to her eternal home on Monday, July 22, 2002. Dorothy lived her entire life in Baltimore City, receiving her education in the Baltimore City public schools. She graduated from Frederick Douglass Senior High School in the graduating class with the former Congressman, Parren J. Mitchell. One of her favorite high school activities was playing basketball. As a young woman, Dorothy met and was married to the late John Thomas Dixon, Sr. From that union, God blessed them with five children: John Jr., Ronald, Maria, Annjeannette, and Janice. Both parents lived to nurture their children; educate them; and witness their development into mature, functioning, responsible adults. During the children’s growing up years, the family lived on Penrose Avenue in West Baltimore. After twenty-one years, the family moved to Kenwood Avenue in Northeast Baltimore. As a dedicated loving wife and mother, Dorothy joined Bethel A. M. E. Church and served on the Usher Board; joined the NAACP and participated in some of its activities, enjoyed traveling, attending the theatre, cooking and shopping; and worked more than two decades as a nurse at Lutheran Hospital of Maryland. She derived great joy from family Sunday dinners, birthdays, and holiday gatherings. Her son, Ronald, nicknamed her “Bea Gaddy” because of the large meals she always prepared for their enjoyment. She was such a gracious lady-always very pleasant and willing to help others in any way. Her home was your home. She welcomed friends and friends of friends alike. Dorothy Elizabeth Callahan-Dixon became matriarch of the family when John died in 1989. She has left us a legacy of love and a beautiful pattern for living. She was a woman of great strength, patience, faith, humility, and character. Her children feel that” Momma was the type of person who comes along only once; and that when this type of person departs from life-no matter how sudden or unexpected-that departure should be met with celebration and thanksgiving.” Dorothy was a joy to know and to love. Now she has achieved the very highest purpose in life. She has returned to the God who made her. She was a precious gift that he gave us. She leaves to cherish her memory: her loving children, John Thomas Dixon Jr., Maria Theresa Dixon, Annjeannette Dovene Black, and Janice Eileen Dixon; two daughters-in-law; Mary Moore Dixon and Joan Suflita-Dixon; two sons-in-law; Jose F. Dernier, Sr., and Edward Black, Jr.; two grandsons: Jose F. Dernier, Jr. and Michael John Dixon; two granddaughters: Monique Dixon and Danielle Dixon; one great grandson, Michael Ronald Dixon; and a host of other relatives and friends

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Dorothy Dixon Callahan

September 21, 1920 - July 22, 2002