Rena Lou Dixon

Rena Lou Dixon, 92, passed away on December 1, 2021 in Coleman, Texas.  Funeral service will be on Monday, December 6, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. in the chapel of Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street.  Burial will follow at the Abilene City Cemetery.  A time of visitation will be on Sunday, December 5, 2021 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

She was born to Willie Gray and Rena Lou (Hendrick) Smith on November 16, 1929, on a farm outside Goldthwaite, Texas.  She graduated from Goldthwaite High School in 1947, then moved with her mother and three younger siblings to Abilene, where she attended Draughon’s Business School.

She met the love of her life, JT Dixon, at Northside Church of Christ in Abilene, and they were married on June 2, 1950.  Lou loved to garden, fish, cook, sew, crochet, and make gifts for family members, along with helping JT and family members build several houses.  Lou and JT celebrated 68 years of marriage just prior to his passing in 2018.

Lou worked as a secretary and bookkeeper at several businesses, and later as the church secretary at Northside.  After two years in Durango, Colorado, the family returned to Abilene in 1970, and Lou worked at ACU for several years.  She loved reading her Bible, full of notes in her beautiful handwriting, and was a faithful member of the Hillcrest Church of Christ.

Lou was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Bill Smith, Bob Smith and Claud Smith, and sister Jane Coffer.  She is survived by her daughters, Donna Boatwright (Tommy) of Novice, TX, Lanna Tabor (Bobby) of Seminole, TX, Mindy Neuman (Jesse) of Coldspring, TX, one sister Mae Rinehart, and one brother, Arthur Smith. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Michelle Goff (Philip),  Michael Boatwright (Missi), Melanie Horne (Eric), Rustin Tabor (Tara), Tara Carter (Jeremy), Brandi Wright (Steven), Tallon Benson (Kayla), Garret Benson (Hope), and 17 great-grandchildren.  Lou will also be dearly missed by many extended family and friends.  The family is grateful to the staff at the Allen Center and Coleman County Hospice for the wonderful care provided during the last two years.

Remembrances in Lou’s memory may be made to the Allen Center at Holiday Hill Nursing Home, Coleman County Home Health and Hospice, or the Christian Service Center in Abilene or your preferred charity.