Dates
Wynta (Lovell) Dixon, 80, of San Angelo, and formerly of Marfa, passed away Thursday, May 22, 2014, from Parkinson's disease and Parkinson's dementia in Medical Center Hospital in Odessa. She was born in Eastland County, Texas, on Oct. 31, 1933, to Omer D. Lovell and Wynta Lydia (Lowe) Lovell. She graduated from Reagan County High School in Big Lake, Texas, in May 1951. She married Lynn E. Dixon Dec. 1, 1952, in Midland, Texas. Lynn was employed as the foreman of the U Bar Ranch at Marfa, Texas. The couple made their home on the ranch, which was 15 miles west of town. Mrs. Dixon was a homemaker. In the 1960's, she was active in the Marfa school district's PTA. She served as president during the 1961-1962 school year. She was also an active member of the Century Culture Club as well as Cowbelles, which eventually became the Texas Cattlewomen's Association. Marfa, Texas, celebrated its 100th birthday of the town's origin in 1983. One of the major events of the celebration was a fashion show called "A Century of Style" featuring major American fashion of this period. Wynta organized the event, wrote the script and was the emcee. Many in attendance considered it to be the highlight of the celebration. Lynn and Wynta became good friends to George and Audrey Mimms. Much of the northern border of Marfa was formed by the Mimms Ranch. Mr. Mimms had left instructions before his death for his family to hire Lynn as their foreman if he was interested in the job. As a result, the couple moved to Marfa and lived at the Mimms Ranch Headquarters starting in 1974. Lynn operated both ranches for the next decade until he lost his battle with cancer in July 1984. During that decade, Wynta's parents moved from Mertzon, Texas, to Marfa where their daughter cared for them. Wynta continued to live in Marfa after her husband's death. She moved from Marfa to San Angelo in May 2001. In 2006, the doctors diagnosed dementia and strokes, which had progressed and exhibited themselves for many years. Service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 28, 2014, in Johnson's Funeral Home chapel with Paul Shero from Southgate Church of Christ officiating. Burial will follow in Mertzon Cemetery. She was preceded in death by her parents, Omer and Wynta Lovell; her husband Lynn; and her sisters, LaVerne Whitely and Virginia Bean. Survivors include her son, Jim O. Dixon and wife Tana of Odessa; her daughter, Jennifer Lynn Simon and husband Marc of San Angelo; two grandchildren, James O. Dixon of Houston and Jessica Lynn Simon of San Angelo; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Open viewing began Monday morning at Johnson's Funeral Home. All family and friends may sign an online guestbook at johnsons-funeralhome.com. If desired, memorials may be made to New Mexico Christian Childrens Home, 1356 NM 236, Portales, NM 88130; San Angelo Christian Academy, 518 Country Club Road, San Angelo, TX 76904; or Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Ste. 1509, New York, NY 10018.