Dora Dixon

A lovely lady passed away August 16, 2012, after bravely and graciously negotiating the effects of aging. She was 91.

Dora Montane Rhew was born July 26, 1921, in Person County, North Carolina, to Daniel Ruffin Rhew and Eddith Lyndell Clayton, the fourth of nine children. Her parents taught her the value of hard work as she and her siblings worked together on the family farm and in the tobacco field. She graduated as class valedictorian from Helena High in 1939, where she was a cheerleader and active in debate. She married her sweetheart, Jeff Woodrow Dixon, on July 25, 1942, in Roxboro, North Carolina. Marriage solemnized December 10, 1965, Salt Lake LDS Temple. Woodrow passed away on June 10, 1973; Dora missed him dearly and often commented, “He was a good man.”

While rearing her family in North Carolina, Dora worked at textile mills in both Aberdeen and later in Hickory. In addition, she was the “foreman” on the family farm in Jackson Springs, where she and Woodrow taught their children by example the significance of a good work ethic. In 1961, the young family moved to Bountiful, Utah, where Dora has lived in the same home for the last 51 years. She worked at Village Café in North Salt Lake and then at Serv-Us Drug in Bountiful until 1995 when she finally retired at the age of 74.
Dora enjoyed cooking and gardening and she maintained a lovely home, while she spoiled her family with her delicious cakes, pies, rolls, and made-from-scratch meals. She pursued excellence and was a hard-working woman of great integrity. An active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Dora showed her love and dedication to the Lord by faithfully fulfilling numerous callings over many years as well as serving as a missionary in the Tennessee Nashville Mission (1984-1985) and as an ordinance worker for 10 years in the Bountiful Utah Temple.
Her family was her greatest joy and she gave generously to them. No event was too small to bring the family together for a celebration. Her family was her highest priority and ultimate achievement. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother; she loved spending time with family. Her legacy of love and nurturing will live on forever; her descendants feel blessed to have such an outstanding woman as their mother and matriarch. She touched many lives and will be greatly missed. We love you, Mama.
Dora’s inner strength carried her through many health crises. She bore the trials of the last few years of her life with dignity and patience. Her family tenderly cared for her and wishes to express appreciation to her health care professionals who treated her with respect and to Lifetouch Home Health and Aspire Hospice for their attention and care until the end.

Dora is survived by her sister, Fannie Leen Lee, Louisburg, NC; brother-in-law James Knight, Roxboro, NC; and sister-in-law Claudia Rhew, SLC, UT; and many nieces and nephews who loved their “Aunt Dora.”

Dora and Woodrow leave a legacy of 110 including their six children: Woody (Sue), Michael (Alauna), and Danny Dixon; Lyndell (Richard) Aland, Donna (Randy) Martinson, and Debra (Frank) Fowler; 23 grandchildren and their spouses; and 57 great-grandchildren (and one on the way). “Now that’s a houseful!” Dora often said. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers, sister, and one grandson, Jared.

Funeral service will be Saturday, August 25 at 11 a.m., Orchard First Ward, 3707 South 800 West, Bountiful. Friends and family may visit Friday, August 24, from 6-7:30 p.m., Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, or Saturday 10-10:45 a.m. at the Church prior to services. Interment Bountiful City Cemetery.