Mrs. Mary Frances Dixon, age 92, of Gainesville, Georgia, passed away Wednesday, January 7, 2015.
A Celebration of life service is scheduled for 3:00 pm Saturday, January 10, 2015, at Gainesville First United Methodist Church. Interment will be in Alta Vista Cemetery at 2:00 pm. The family will receive friends following the service at the church.
Mrs. Dixon was preceded in death by her husband Dr. P.K. Dixon, and is survived by her children: Carol Dixon Whitmire and her husband Dr. Ronnie Whitmire, Dr. Ken Dixon and his wife Connie Dixon, Susan Dixon Brooksher and her husband Bill Brooksher, and Dr. Brad Dixon and his wife Sherri Dixon. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and their spouses, Dr. Amy Whitmire Boyd and her husband Dr. Brad Boyd, Julie Whitmire Cooper and her husband Scott, Chris Dixon and his wife Teresa, Laura Dixon Rogers and her husband Taylor, Heather Dixon Sholes and her husband Tipton, Billy Brooksher and his wife Betsy, Mary Frances Brooksher Moulton and her husband Loren, Emily Brooksher, Matthew Dixon, and Rebecca Dixon and her fiancée Ray Espinosa. Mrs. Dixon is survived by her twelve great-grandchildren: Will, Andrew, Catherine, Caroline, Lauren, Heather, Anthony, George, Will, Matthew, Truett, and Mary Pierce. The family also extends grateful appreciation to Rhonda Cheshire and Rachel Jimenez, who were so special to Dee in her last years. Also surviving are the families of Fred Carter her brother and the families of PK's brothers and sister Warren, Wilbur, and Jean, with the only remaining family from her generation now being PK's younger brother Wilbur.
Mary Frances lived from November 8, 1922, until Wednesday evening, having been in good health until shortly before her death. Even so soon after her passing, it is clear that she had a wonderful life. She had losses along the way, certainly, but she was fortunate enough to sidestep tragedy most of her journey. Mary Frances was pronounced Mary Frances, Marefrances, MF or Babe, Mama or Dee, depending on whether you were a friend or family, PK, or a child, or a grandchild. She was born in Griffin, Georgia, to Eunice Simonton Carter and Fed Carter, a housewife and a train depot master. Her family moved to Jonesboro, Georgia, before she entered the first grade and she lived up the hill on Lee Street from the family of a boy six months her junior named Pierce Kendal Dixon, Jr. This was fortunate because MF taught PK how to tie his shoes, thus starting the career of a very good man who tied many, many knots inside generations of North Georgians. Mary Frances was the older sister to Fred, a good younger brother and fine man himself, now long deceased, but who left behind a large, loving family, not dissimilar to the one who now says goodbye to his sister.
Mary Frances grew up in Jonesboro during the depression, with most stories of that youth lost to us, but with the oft repeated recollection of the hobo who came home with her father to get a square meal in her kitchen, but then passed out on the kitchen floor. Although we do not know what came of the hobo, this event left an indelible mark in MF's mind. She was a good student and in 1940 finished first in her small high school class in Jonesboro, with PK finishing second. She then graduated from Agnes Scott College while PK was finishing at Emory. The two married on September 23, 1944, presumably for reasons other than tying PK's shoes, and then PK embarked on his career in medicine. After PK finished his training in surgery and Mary Frances had had her first three children, the young couple moved to Gainesville. PK joined Pep Brown in starting, from ground up, the surgical care of the people of North Georgia. While her husband was doing this, Mary Frances was busy raising those three children and having one more. PK and MF were successful in achieving most of their plans those early years, and even had some success with their accidents, but we love Brad anyway.
Mary Frances had a busy life as a young to middle aged North Georgia Doctor's wife. These years were involved with Junior Service League, bridge, and gardening. She was an active member of the Gainesville First United Methodist Church, for years teaching Sunday School to the kindergartners and becoming one of the early members of the Open Door Class alongside her husband PK. But most of what she did was raise children and support her husband. She lived a life of dedication to her family. She was a Christian and taught her family to trust in God, to be of loving spirit, and to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. She raised Carol and got her married to Ronnie. She raised Ken and got him married to Connie. She raised Susan and got her married to Billy. And, finally, she raised Brad as best one could, and then found Sherri to take over. During these times, PK was a hard working surgeon who became convinced Gainesville needed another hospital. The creation of Lanier Park Hospital was a significant change in our community. Mary Frances was ever a gracious woman and stood beside PK during these changing times. She always treated people with respect. She personally always preferred friendship, peace, and harmony. She was a great Southern lady, a wonderful relic now of times past. But, no matter what, thick or thin, from start to end, Mary Frances stood firm behind and with PK. And you really can't talk about Mary Frances Dixon without talking about PK as well. She may have rotated around him but she was the half of the team that made our family a family.
PK and MF had a happy marriage of almost 60 years. PK was fond of jokingly saying, "We've been married for 40 happy years, and that ain't bad out of 45." You can change the numbers however you want, the meaning was the same. PK wasn't much of a traveler, but MF, who became Dee with the grandchildren, was always ready to go. She was a great companion, no fuss and no trouble, and loved being with the grandchildren in these vacation adventures. She was a good Parcheesi player and, for many years, had a reliable stash of Snickers that she would share. She loved going to plays at Gainesville High especially when her grandchildren were participating. Along with PK, she was a GHS supporter, going to many GHS basketball, football, soccer, softball games, and tennis matches. She loved going to ballgames with PK and Curtis and Nell Segars and didn't fuss much about Daddy's shortcuts that tended to end up in places different than where they meant to go. Dee was a great cook until she gave it up in her later years. She became a big Georgia Tech fan, and loved Tech football and basketball games. But PK's health deteriorated for about five years before his death at 80. During this time, Dee curtailed her travels. You then found her by the side of her mate. She was there for him in body and soul. Any flaws that PK may have once seemed to have, were no more. They were both forgiven and forgotten. A better, more loyal, loving and giving wife would be difficult to envision. After PK's death in 2003, Dee's remaining years were years well spent, with her now large family of four children with spouses, ten grandchildren, and an expanding list of great grandchildren. The past two years, she remained at home with the wonderful support of Rhonda and Rachel, and continued to get out with her family. She was in pretty good health up until her final illness, appreciating the sunsets, her friends, and especially her family, in whose heart she will always live. Her final words to her family were, "You know, I love you all very much." We love you too, Dee. Say hello to Daddy for us.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to Gainesville United Methodist Church at 2780 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA 30506.
Those wishing to leave online condolences may do so at littledavenport.com
Little & Davenport Funeral Home, 355 Dawsonville Hwy, Gainesville, GA 30501 is in charge of arrangements.
