Lena (Parrish-Howell) Dixon, died on 24 October 2009 at her daughter's home. A resident of Accokeek, MD, she and her husband, Andrew Dixon, attended Accokeek First Baptist Church and sang in the Senior Choir of Groveton Church, Alexandria, VA.

Born on January 22, 1918 and raised in Johnston County, NC, the daughter of G.W. "Jim" Parrish and Callie Creech. She grew up in Selma and attended Parrish Memorial Church. She was married in September 1935 to Garland A. Howell. They farmed for a living in Johnston County, NC. In 1946, they moved to Charlotte, NC. In 1949 they relocated to Alexandria, VA where they became small business proprietors of a grocery market, a heating oil delivery business and retail ice cream trucks which operated in local neighborhoods. They had three children. Lena was also a homemaker and enjoyed gardening over the years; beautiful flowers were a special joy to her.

Lena was predeceased by her first husband, Garland A. Howell, their son, Joseph B. Howell and his wife, Patricia Lacey Howell, two grandsons, Phillip Bruce Hall and Duke Shane Howell, her sister, Thelma (Parrish) Bizzell and her two brothers, Herman and Tommy Parrish.

Lena is survived by her loving husband, Andrew L. Dixon (married in December 1987); her two daughters, Wilma Gray Hall and husband, Ronald, Diane Lamb and husband, Michael. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Garland Nicholas Howell, Joseph B. Howell, Jr., Christopher Wayne Gallant, David Scott Gallant, Ronda Hall Starnell, Fawn Hall Sugerman and Meredith Hall Weberg; eight great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren and her extended Howell , Parrish and Bizzell relatives. Lena is also survived by Andrew Dixon's five children, David, Keith, Tom, Karen and Norman.

Lena will be well remembered as a faithful Christian, for her gentle nature, kind heart and strength of character, always thoughtful of others. She was a devoted wife and loving mother and grandmother; deeply loved and already deeply missed. Church, family and good friends were the center of her life. We find comfort knowing she is with the Lord. We thank all of you for the love and friendship you gave her during her life.

The family received relatives and friends at Parrish Funeral Home in Selma on Monday, October 26, 2009, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and again at Parrish Memorial Church at 10:00 a.m. until time of services at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 27, 2009. A Christian burial was held immediately following in the old cemetery of the church.

The family extends a special thank you to the caregivers of Evercare Hospice.

Memorial gifts may be sent to Evercare Hospice, 4000 Legato Road, Fairfax, VA 22033.