Augusta Mason Dixon

Laurens, South Carolina

Augusta Mason Dixon of Laurens, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on August 17 at age 83 of cancer. She was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Albert King “King” Dixon, II,  who was her childhood sweetheart since the third grade, and she is survived by her three sons, Albert King “King” Dixon, III (Kristina Halleck Dixon) of Stafford, Virginia; Augustus “Gus” Mason Dixon (Kim King Dixon and sons Andrew “Drew” Mason Dixon and Robert King Dixon) of Columbia, South Carolina; and Lee Simmons Dixon (Margaret Edwards Dixon and daughters Anna Dixon Massullo (Gregory Dennis Massullo) and Sarah Simmons Dixon) of Greenville, South Carolina. Augusta and her beloved sister, Henrietta “Retta” Mason Gantt were born in Laurens and were the daughters of the late Augustus “Gus” Isaac Mason and Etta Lee Scruggs Mason.

Augusta was a life-long Presbyterian and known for her strong and steady faith and Biblical knowledge. Along with her husband she taught many years of adult Sunday school at First Presbyterian Church of Laurens, where she was also an ordained Elder, long-time choir member, and past moderator of the Presbyterian Women. She was faithful to the baptism vows of her children and instilled her faith in her sons who are all Elders in the Presbyterian Church.

Augusta was also a life-long learner. She graduated from Laurens High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education, cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of South Carolina. She was an avid reader and she took pride in researching, writing and presenting papers as a member and past-President of The Wednesday Club and a member of The Palmetto Study Club. Augusta was also past-President of the Columbia Garden Club and particularly enjoyed time with her sister arranging beautiful table arrangements.

Augusta was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who was always thoughtful of others. She and her husband were an inseparable team who invested themselves in the churches, schools, youth sports teams, Boy Scouts (with all three sons and both grandsons earning the rank of Eagle Scout), Rotary (in which she was an honorary member), and other local organizations in the communities in which they lived during and after King’s military career in the United States Marine Corps, including Virginia, Hawaii, Oklahoma and South Carolina. In many cases, Augusta was the quiet and dedicated force behind those in leadership roles. She had a genuine smile, wonderful laugh, gentle voice, charm, and genteelness that belied her persistent resolve and steady determination. She was filled with God’s grace and lived her life to the glory of the Lord!

A service of thanksgiving will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Laurens, South Carolina, on Friday, August 21, at 3:00 p.m. with only the family in attendance and live streamed for all others, followed by a private family interment at Forest Lawn Cemetery. To view the live streamed service, click the link on Augusta’s obituary at www.thekennedymortuary.com on Friday prior to the service. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Laurens Endowment Fund, the Rotary Foundation, or a charity of your choice.