Dixie Ruth Wright passed away in the early morning hours of Thursday, January 17, 2019, at the Springfield Rehabilitation and Health Care Center. She was born in Waterloo, IA, on August 15, 1929, to Roy and Beatrice Phelps. She moved to Colorado in 1956, and lived there until 1980 when she moved to Missouri.
Having never finished high school, Dixie was an independent, self-sufficient, adventurous and hard-working woman. Along with being a wonderful wife and mother, she spent a large portion of her life working as a waitress. In Denver, she worked at the world-famous Brown Palace in the Ship’s Tavern.
It was there that she met many famous people including John Wayne, the Beatles and Buddy Hackett. In Nixa, she was employed at Smitty’s Restaurant for many years. What she loved most about working in restaurants was interacting with her customers.
She went on to marry one of her favorite customers, Dale Wright, on January 4, 1999. The two of them cherished time together traveling and attending church. Dixie enjoyed meeting new people and they enjoyed getting to know her.
She loved playing cards, traveling, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. And, oh, how she loved shopping for clothes and shoes! Nevertheless, what gave her the greatest joy was when she could help others, whether it was her family, friends or the less fortunate.
Dixie was grateful to her Lord and Savior for His love and mercy towards her. She was a faithful member of the Baptist denomination since the early 1970s. Despite any difficulties she experienced in life, she remained faithful to Him.
Dixie is survived by her brother Ralph Phelps (Verna); daughters Sheila Franssen (Jack), Pamela Rood, Terri Smith, Linda Langford (Chris); her grandchildren, Wayne Hill, Michael Hill, James Hill (Megan), Stacey Warneke (Cory), Rick Rood, Kevin Rood (Kaila Pakula), Heather Davis (Brandon), Jake Langford (fiancé Kaelan Travis); Kyle Langford (Katelyn Benedix), Bryan Reid; eleven great-grandchildren and many wonderful nieces and nephews. Dixie was preceded in death by her parents Roy and Beatrice Phelps; sisters Genevieve Paulson, Viola Moyer, brother; Dick Phelps, husbands Wayne Smith, Gene Armstrong, Dale Wright; son David Smith, and sons-in-law Richard (Dick) Rood, Graeme (Chester) Hill; great Grandson; William Rood. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 26, 2019 at the North Nixa Baptist Church in Nixa.
In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting donations be made to Dixie’s favorite charity; The Least of These, 1720 James River Rd. , Ozark, MO 65721, Phone: ((417) 724-2500, info@leastofthesefoodpantry.org. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Dixie Ruth Wright please visit our Sympathy Store.
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