Dixie Emma Lane passed away on Wednesday, January 30, 2019, in Florence, South Carolina. Dixie was born in Pamplico, South Carolina on December 5, 1933 to Earle Bolton Lane and Eunice Purvis Lane. Dixie’s dream was to live in a house built on a farm that had been in her family for generations, to raise her children in the tight knit community into which she herself has been born, and to embrace life’s beauty through art and adventure.
The tall, white house with columns, secluded in a pine wood and found down a lane shadowed by sentries of live oak trees, embodied the pastoral life Dixie cherished. As a single mother and with the support at home of her aunt and namesake Dixie Purvis Hyman, Dixie raised four children and saw them all complete their college education. She knew the struggle of working full-time while putting herself through college, holding herself to the highest academic standards, and eventually completing her Masters degree in education at Francis Marion College.
She taught for decades at Hannah Pamplico Elementary School and was gratified later in life when she encountered successive generations of her students who had grown up to have children of their own enrolled in her class. Her thirst for art was quenched through years of dedication to the Florence Little Theater. She served on its board of directors and performed leading roles in many productions.
Winning multiple awards for her portrayal of a variety of characters. Her first role was in the 1976 production of The Homecoming in which she played one of the Staples sisters who brewed a special “Recipe” that provided quite a kick. In retirement, Dixie enjoyed the travel and adventure she had always sought.
She flew in a hot air balloon over the natural wonders of Kenya, dined in the romantic cafes of Paris, and had a heartfelt reunion on the island of Barra in the Outer Hebrides where her forebears lived before immigrating to America in the mid-18th century. Dixie Emma Lane was a woman committed to family and community. She played bridge weekly with the same group of friends for over fifty years.
She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She sang in the choir at Pamplico United Methodist Church. She endured hardship and adversity with steely resolve.
She dearly loved tradition and yet was accepting of change. The adjective most often used to describe her was “elegant”. Her elegance extend beyond more superficial mannerisms and spoke to a deep sensitivity and refinement of spirit that was appreciated by all who knew and loved her.
Dixie is survived by her sister, Patricia Lane Finch; four children from her first marriage, John Alexander Herrington (Vicky Herrington, spouse), William Lowell Herrington, Jr., Questria Herrington Powell (James Powell, spouse), and Mikel Lane Herrington (John Martin Taylor, spouse); nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a nephew, and a grandnephew. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, February 1, 2019, at Pamplico United Methodist Church directed by Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home. A private burial will be held at a later time.
Family will receive friends from 1:00 – 2:00 PM on Friday at the church. Memorials may be made to Pamplico United Methodist Church, PO Box 277, Pamplico, SC 29583. Please sign the tribute wall for the family at www.
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