Mrs. Helen Jones Dixon Celebrates 90 Years

Mrs. Helen Jones Dixon reached a remarkable milestone recently when she celebrated her 90th birthday. Mrs. Dixon was honored with a birthday celebration at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex on Saturday, August 8th, her actual birthday. Impeccably dressed in gold and white, Mrs. Dixon was escorted into Robert Taylor and was greeted by family and friends. It was a festive occasion hosted by her family and was attended by over 200 guests.

Mayor Debbie Trice, Mayor of the City of Sarasota, was in attendance and presented a proclamation from the City of Sarasota in recognition of Mrs. Dixon’s birthday. Philip Tavill, President and CEO of Children First, gave remarks recognizing Mrs. Dixon as one of its first students to attend what was then known as the Newtown Day Nursery.

Mrs. Dixon is well known in the Sarasota community for her many years of dedicated service. She is a retired social worker who was the Coordinator of the Family Life Intervention Program, known as FLIP, which is still in existence today. FLIP was known to produce significant results and under Mrs. Dixon’s guidance, the program provided family counseling, social rehabilitation and tutoring. It is a program she is still most proud of. Mrs. Dixon dedicated her life to uplifting children, families and neighbors through education, outreach and mentorship. After 24 years with the program, she retired in 2013, having served as an advocate, mentor, social worker and counselor, guiding countless students on their path to college.

A lifelong Sarasota resident, Mrs. Dixon is a graduate of Booker High School, Class of 1955, earned an A.A.S. degree in Medical Records, and a B.S. degree in Behavioral Science from Shaw University. She also pursued graduate studies at Rutgers University. She continues to be an advocate for others and is an active member of Bethlehem Bible Church in Sarasota.