Dixie Valera Shelton was born December 13, 1926 in Belle Plaine, Kansas to Charles D. and Ella Mae (Wooldridge) Smith. She departed this life December 31, 2021 at Southeast Colorado Long Term Care Center in Springfield, Colorado at the age of 95. 

Dixie graduated from Belle Plaine High School in 1944. She later came to Pritchett, Colorado with her parents, who had bought the Pritchett drugstore. While working at the drugstore, she met Dean Shelton. They became engaged upon his return from military service in Italy and were married March 2, 1947. They were happily married for almost 73 years until Dean’s death on January 22, 2020. They loved to dance and spent many hours dancing, even to the jukebox in the drugstore. 

Dean and Dixie spent their lives in Pritchett except for a time in Manitou Springs, Colorado and later in Belle Plaine, Kansas. They had three children, Jennifer, Zephern and Scott. Dixie was always involved in her kids’ activities: school, piano lessons, 4-H, swimming lessons, and everything in-between. 

She was a lifetime member of the Pritchett United Methodist Church until its closure. Dixie then transferred her membership to the Springfield United Methodist Church. She taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for many years. She belonged to the Order of Eastern Star and was honored to serve as Worthy Matron in 1974-75. Dixie’s faith was the foundation of her life, and her love, kindness, and compassion set a wonderful example for her family to follow. 

In addition to being a wife and mother, for a number of years Dixie served as a clerk at the Pritchett Post Office. For many years she enjoyed oil painting and tending her flower garden, Dixie was an avid reader and loved a good movie. She spent a lifetime listening to many genres of music, but it was hard to beat the Big Band sounds of Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey. Watching Dean and Dixie dance together brought joy, not only to them, but to family and friends who shared those happy times. After Dean’s retirement as Pritchett Postmaster in 1989 they enjoyed traveling around the country. They made life long friends in their 20+ years of bowling and square dancing. Some of the best times in her life were Sundays and holidays spent with the kids and grandkids who loved being with Bamo and Papa. 

Dixie was preceded in death by her husband, Dean, her parents, Charles D. and Ella Mae Smith, and her great-grandson, Casey Gale Everett. 

She is survived by her children, Jennifer (Terry) Everett, Zephern Shelton, and Scott Shelton. She is survived by grandchildren, Heidi (Bryan) Schockey, Casey (Laneha) Everett, Dane (Sally) Everett, and Natasha (Vince) Liguori. Dixie was blessed with 3 great-grandchildren, Jacob Liguori 15, Sophi Liguori 13, and Audy Everett 2. Her brother, Kenneth Smith, also survives, as well as several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, cousins, and a number of nieces and nephews. 

The family requests memorial contributions in Dixie’s honor be given to Springfield United Methodist Church, 901 Colorado Street, Springfield, CO 81073; Pritchett Community Church % Maltbie Funeral Services, 265 W. 8th Ave., Springfield, CO 81073; or SECHD Long Term Care Center, 373 E. 10th Ave., Springfield, Colorado 81073.