Mother Gracie Lee Dixon

With heartfelt memories, we celebrate the life of Gracie Lee Sorrells, born to Leonard and Gussie Sorrells on November 6, 1930, in Okolona, Arkansas. Gracie was a spirited soul known for her infectious laughter, her love for gospel music, down-home blues and her mastery in the kitchen. Gracie met Junior Lee Dixon and the two were united in marriage on November 13, 1948 in Okolona, Arkansas marking the beginning of their lifelong commitment and partnership. She was a courageous woman with a heart full of love and a sense of humor that could brighten any room. Gracie’s love of children kicked off a lifelong career that began with teaching and reading to children in the Head Start program. Most of the children growing up on the West Side of Denver in the 60’s and 70’s knew and loved Miss Dixon from Head Start. Gracie would go on to spend 27 dedicated years as a bus assistant ensuring the safety of special needs children to and from school with Denver Public Schools Transportation, where she was known for her loving and caring nature. Throughout her life, her greatest joy and contribution (aside from her family) was feeding people! If you were blessed enough to be in her presence, you were probably enjoying her wonderful food, which likely included some of her specialties such as tuna salad, sweet potato pie, potato salad, greens and cornbread. Those who knew her well, knew that Gracie absolutely loved to grocery shop and buy food in bulk. From the early days of Nobel Foods to the current days of Sam’s Club, Walmart,Schwan's and King Soopers, Gracie always had a freezer and pantry full of food. To this day, all of her girls follow in her path of stocking up on food. Even in her retirement, Gracie continued to bring joy to those around her through her hobbies of cooking, baking and shopping. She loved gathering with family and friends, whether it was a summer BBQ, a holiday dinner or one of her greatest pastimes: a Sunday afternoon spent watching the Denver Broncos football games...FAITHFULLY! Gracie had many great qualities including her beauty, her grace and sense of fashion. She always made sure she was put together well from her flawless skin (thanks to her love of Oil of Olay) and hair to her clothes and her deep love of perfume (Royal Secret, White Diamonds and a host of classic Avon fragrances). She was a vision of beauty and regularly received compliments for her youthful glow, even into her senior years. Her inner and outer beauty was matched by her ability to make everyone laugh by conjuring up the best and funniest nicknames for her family and even perfect strangers! She passed this sense of humor on to her children and grandchildren but she will always be the queen of humor and laughter! Gracie was a woman of great faith and was an active member of her community, always eager to lend a hand or share a kind word. In Proverbs 31:28-29, it is said, "Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.'" It is clear that Gracie embodied this verse, always putting her family first and showing unwavering love and support to her loved ones. Gracie completed her earthly journey on January 31, 2024 and is lovingly remembered by her children: Levern Dixon, Clarice Dixon Davis, Jenice Dixon, Kevin Dixon, Mark Dixon, Gail Dixon and step-daughter Mary Dixon; her sisters Esther Harris, Alice Henry, Evelyn “Rae” Purifoy, and her brother Johnny Sorrells. Gracie's legacy continues through her grandchildren Delicia Johnson, Danica Rumph, Carl Rumph, Jeremy Rumph, Anisha Newbold (Jovan), Janay Dixon; her great-grandchildren Temani Adams, Ariessa Adams, Savion Davis, Janaa Newbold, Jazmyn Newbold and Joi Newbold who were her daily rays of sunshine. Gracie leaves a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and close friends. Gracie was preceded in death by her beloved husband Junior Lee Dixon, her sons Herbert Dixon and Carl Dixon, her parents Gussie Fulks and Leonard Sorrells, her sisters Alma Gary, Bertha Daniels, Linnie “Beadie” Norton, her brothers Leonard Sorrells, Charles William Sorrells, and Charles Edward Sorrells and her grandchildren Myra Blackmon (Tony) and Angela Davis. Ms. Gracie's favorite word she would always use is “God Bless Everyone All Over The World” and “Love & Later!”

Mother Gracie Lee Dixon

November 6, 1930 - January 31, 2024