Early Monday morning, August 28, 2023, Dixie Kilbride-Jones, age 67, was embraced in the arms of Jesus as He welcomed her into His glorious heavenly gates.  Dixie was a wonderful Christian woman who touched the lives of many.

After being a caring stay at home mom for 8 years, life's circumstances forced her to become a single parent and she began her search for work. She was hired by Monika and Charles Forrest, the wonderful owners of Aqua Classic Pools and Spas in Bay City, TX. She worked there for 23 years as the office manager/ salesperson & water analyst.

Along with the help of her parents, she continued to raise her daughter as a completely dedicated mother, instilling Christian values by being an example of truly living a life that worshipped Jesus in a way like none other. She made sure her daughter was raised in a loving church home called St. Paul's United Methodist Church.

She was very thankful for having gone on an Emmaus walk at the Baptist Encampment in Palacios about 30 years ago.  She said it changed her life.  She became a confident and bold person for Jesus.  No longer was she afraid to read scripture from the pulpit, pray in public, or tell others the good news of the Gospel. With this amazing experience, fast forward 30 years or so later, she was able to convince her son in law, Joseph and her daughter, Kristina to engage in this experience last September and October 2022, which changed their lives as well.  After her Emmaus Walk around 1990, her renewed love for Christ lead her to be an ever better friend and mother than ever before.

As her daughter grew into adulthood, Dixie  took the most dedicated care of her parents until Jesus called them home.

After the loss of both of her parents, she decided to step out of her comfort zone and started a singles group at St. Paul's which lasted for several years.  The group played games and made short trips just to have fellowship with other single Christian believers.

Dixie was also a member of the Gospelaires singing group at St. Paul's for four or five years.  They had a great time singing at nursing homes, birthday parties, and of course at St. Paul's.

As her life's journey continued on, she married her "Prince Charming" Jimmy Jones on October 1, 2016. They then moved to Ohio where she made wonderful friends who became like family. Jimmy and Dixie lived there for 7 years until moving to Huntsville, TX this past July of 2023, to be closer to their friends and relatives.

While living in Ohio, Dixie and Jimmy did a fair amount of traveling.  They went to Ireland (a place she dreamed of visiting for years and years). The trip lasted for three amazing weeks during which they spent time with Jimmy's and his late loving wife Kathy's son, Ken and his family. They also took a couple of cruises to the Caribbean and Hawaii! They made two trips to Branson, and a trip to Niagara Falls. Driving back to Texas became a regular routine. During these trips, they always made sure to visit their loved ones including Jimmy's daughter Allison and her husband Joe Mike, granddaughter Annika and her husband Blake, Dixie's daughter Kristina and her husband Joseph along with the families of cousins nephews, and many friends.

For the last 7 years of her life on this earth, Jimmy truly gave Dixie the happiest and most blessed years she had ever experienced.

When they were not traveling, she found joy in cooking and other hobbies such as playing cards & dominos with friends and family. She also enjoyed watching game shows on TV as she crochet afghans, coasters, baby caps and booties to give away, just like her mom, Sylvia did.  She probably made 30 to 40 afghans just in the seven years of her married life in Ohio! Those Ohio winters were long and these hobbies kept her warm and helped pass the time.

Dixie also enjoyed hosting parties, whether it was Christmas or the middle of summer. She loved working alongside her husband in preparation of having people over for a few hours.  Usually anywhere from ten to twenty-five people attended.  I think she got the hosting bug from her late parents, George and Sylvia, who had a swimming pool and a large covered patio in their back yard on the highway to Matagorda where many would gather frequently.

Her sweet spirit and love for Christ, people and life in general was contagious!
She will be forever missed by those of us still here on earth, and we all look forward to the day we all sing praises together at the feet of Jesus.

When we all get to Heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be!

Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at Bay City Baptist Church.  Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM with Rev. Lee Watson officiating.  Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park.