M E M O R I A L S P I R I T
33
Due to the foregoing skills, he positively
impacted all the lives of his siblings.
Roscoe accepted Christ at an early age and
was a member of St. Peter Missionary Church
under the leadership of Reverend Gaston.
He was an active member of St. Peter for
numerous years and served faithfully in the
Lord’
under the leadership of Dr. Sherman Helton
at New Hope MBC in Southaven, MS.
Roscoe was beloved by his teachers at
Hamilton Elementary and High school and
always knew exactly how to turn on the charm
and get on their good side. Roscoe graduated
from Hamilton High school in 1967. To
further his educational pursuits, he enrolled
at Memphis State University (currently the
University of Memphis) and received a
bachelor’s degree in political science. Armed
with the degree of his passion, he set out to
impact the world and make a difference in the
lives of those he would serve. Roscoe served
his country valiantly following his enlistment
in the US army. Subsequent to his departure,
he remained in the army reserve and rose
through the ranks to the level of Captain.
Roscoe followed his passion and was very
involved in serving his community. In the
years that followed his tour of duty in the
Army, he worked with the Urban League,
the NAACP, the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s Operation
PUSH (People United to Serve Humanity),
and on the 1974 congressional campaign
of Harold Ford, Sr
politics came in 1975, when he ran for the
at-large City Council seat in Memphis. The
next year, he was in Atlanta to work on
Jimmy Carter’s 1976 presidential campaign.
Roscoe married the love of his life, Gloria
Dobbins, as he delighted in her virtuous
qualities and her deep spiritual commitment.
Roscoe and Gloria sponsored a yearly
Thanksgiving dinner for their in-laws,
sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews as
he relished preparing his special dish.
As everyone sat around the table, Roscoe
always would liven up the conversation and
ask for various opinions as he led a round
table discussion
Unsurprisingly, much of the conversation was
centered on politics.
Roscoe continued to pursue his political
passion and was a prominent Democrat in the
Tennessee legislature for more than a decade.
It was a joy for him to represent District 87
as a State Representative and District 33
as a State Senator. He also was always
assisting the helpless, the hopeless, and
the downtrodden by offering a hand up to
eliminate the need for a hand out. The slogan
he constantly lived by and sometimes even
sung was “If I can help somebody, then my
living will not be in vain”. His ultimate goal
was always and forever to serve his fellow
man. One of his pet projects was the Hamilton
Initiative where he utilized grant funds to
assist the neighborhood, especially the elderly,
in restoring worn down homes. He utilized
prison help to revitalize deteriorating
cemeteries to enable citizens to visit their
loved ones in dignity and peace.
Roscoe’
foremost always politics. In prior years, he
served as the President of the Black Merchants
Association. Being community oriented, he
served on various boards: Memphis Health
Center, Old Hickory Civic Club, Raineshaven
Civic Club, Florida Street Civic Club,
Associated Catholic Charities, Whitehaven
Southwest Mental Health. Roscoe engaged
in causes to help people achieve equality,
fairness and prosperity such as: Operation
PUSH, NAACP, and the Urban League.
He was passionate in his recent work
venture with CAAP and was impacted by
the compassionate leadership shown by his
CEO, Al Richardson, relative to uplifting
people in recovery.
Roscoe was preceded in death by his
biological father, mother and sister, Vernita
Dixon. He leaves to mourn his loss and
cherish his memories, his loving, dedicated
wife, Gloria Dixon, his father, Willie Moore
(Stella), sisters: Catherine Green, Sandra
Smith (Craig}; brothers: Ricky Dixon (Judy},
Bobby Dixon, Danny Dixon and a host of
sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, nieces,
nephews, relatives, friends and colleagues .