Dixie Avey was born in Como, MS on September 16th, 1935. She was raised in Memphis, TN, where she lived with her parents Jack and Mary Watson. In June of 1962 she married O. Norris Avey. They were married nearly 54 years before Norris passed away at their home in Heber Springs, AR where they both lived in retirement. Dixie served as an award-winning teacher in the Memphis City Schools for over 30 years where she taught art and English. She was a graduate of Memphis State (now the University of Memphis), where she received her art degree and a master's in Art Education. She was an avid patron of the arts within the Memphis community throughout her life. She enjoyed gardening and worked tirelessly as the founder of the Greentrees Neighborhood Association. She and her husband, Norris, were also extremely active in their church, Bellevue Baptist, teaching Sunday school there for many years. Dixie is survived by her daughter, Deborah Nelson and her husband, David Nelson, as well as her grand-daughter, Brittany Lyles, Brittany’s husband, Ed, and her five great-grandchildren. She also leaves legacy through Braiden Farrell for whom she cared for many years. 

Graveside Service is 10:30 AM, Thursday, December 21, 2023 at Cleburne County Memorial Gardens.