Published: March 20, 2008 11:34 pm            

Geraldean (Minatra) Dixon

Geraldean (Minatra) Dixon was born on Oct. 4, 1938, in Rural Shade the second of four children to Robert and Maebelle Minatra. She departed this life on Wednesday, March 19, 2008, in Corsicana.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 22, at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Gary Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at Hamilton-Beeman Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Danny Nichols, Nick Nichols, Todd Nichols, Richie Holloway, Joe Marquez and Keith Martin.

Geraldean attended Mildred schools where she was a cheerleader for the Mildred Eagles. She graduated with a huge class of 12 in May 1957. On June 9, of the same year, she married her sweetheart Freddy Dixon. In 1959 they started their family that eventually grew to five children. As a teenager she sang with a band called the Long Trio where her father played fiddle. Their country music was broadcast live by KAND radio from atop the State National Bank Building. They also played at local rodeo arenas and other venues. Although she did not perform in public after graduation, her house was always filled with music and the sound of her sweet voice. Among her favorites were Eddy Arnold and Jim Reeves along with countless others.

While predominately a homemaker who dedicated her life to her children and grandchildren, Geraldean owned and operated a dog grooming business for many years. Her home was always overflowing with children and pets of all kind. Her love and respect for animals was passed along to all her children who chose to share their own homes with four-legged friends of their own. She loved making the rounds of garage sales, flea markets, and antique shops looking for collectibles and antique glassware. She had a quiet serenity about her but was known to be the proverbial mother bear when one of her cubs was in danger. Many a person caught a glimpse of “Wild Red” when her children were threatened. Her greatest joys in life, however, were her grandchildren who were such a source of pride; just ask anyone she bragged to about them. In later years Geraldean was so happy to have her vision restored after surgeries so that she could once more read the novels she loved. Among her favorites was author Dean Koontz.

Her family will miss the glue that held them together, but cherish the memories of her and continue to live the lessons she taught.

Greeting her in heaven will be her parents; brother, Robert “Punch” Minatra; son-in-law, Tom Horn; grandsons, Chris and Eric Horn; in-laws, Thelbert Dixon and Opleta Bates; and sister-in-law, Ruth Ann Johnson.

Left behind to cherish her is her husband of 50 years, Freddy Dixon; daughters, Renee’ (Roy) Bunch, Susan (Don) Williams and Karen (Leslie) Tackett; sons, Rob (Cathy) Dixon and Jeff (Tammy) Dixon; her grandchildren, Chris Horn, Megan Williams, Ryan Dixon, Jeremy Williams, Holly Tackett, Haley Tackett, Emily Dixon, Debbie Taylor, Jeff Horn and Larry Horn; sisters, Bessie Nichols and Eloise (Bill) Holder; brothers-in-law, Ruel (Becky) Dixon, Mark (Debbie) Dixon and James (Betty) Duvall; sisters-in-law, Mary Gibson and Martha Riddle; mother-in-law, Margie Dixon; great-aunts, Hazel Holloway and Jewell Minatra; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins mourn her sweet good-bye.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Shafik and the staff at Heritage Oaks Retirement Village for making her final days comfortable.

An online guest book is available at www.griffin-roughton.com by selecting the Geraldean (Minatra) Dixon obituary.

Arrangements by Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home. ∞

        

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