Dixie Ward

A Hoosier by birth, a Buckeye by roots, and a Longhorn by love, Dixie Lee Ward passed away at age 84 on Thursday evening, September 3, 2020. Although if asked, she would tell you that the hills, trees and VFW dancin’ of Beaver, Ohio was “home,” she died a proud Texas woman in Elgin, Texas, where she was known by hundreds simply as “Mom.” She was a capable woman who was a beautiful blend of feisty, stubborn, sweet and funny. She could make you madder than hell in one moment and laugh out loud in the next. True to her name, Dixie was a firecracker through and through. Known by name at the Dallas Nightclub in the 80s, you’d be doing your best to keep up with her as she cut a rug, even after being on her feet and gossiping all day while working at a successful nearby beauty shop which she helped to co-found on Burnet Road. The world won’t be quite as fun without her.For this, she will be missed.

More privately, she knew God, and God knew her well enough to forgive her for stirring up trouble here and there. She loved animals, especially watching birds eat a ridiculous amount of fancy bird seed through the big bay window. She will be missed by the birds. She truly enjoyed brutal yard work in the Texas heat, but never without heavy makeup and big red hair. And Diet Coke. Lots and lots of Diet Coke. She will be missed by the lawn. And by the Coca-Cola Company. She was a damn good cook, and “Mom’s Mashed Potatoes” and her “Yankee Slaw” will be sorely missed.

She dearly loved her family, and she centered her life around them, working and living with them for much of her life. One might argue that her son-in-law, Ted, was her best friend... at least in the fall. She was serious about game day when it came to the Texas Longhorns, Ohio State Buckeyes and Dallas Cowboys, and she would line up the channels and chill the beverages while Ted finished off a Texas brisket, her favorite football food. Game days without Mom will not be the same, and she will be missed. Above all, she was proudest of her daughter, Lisa, and her granddaughter, Shea. She rarely missed an outing with Lisa, even if just to the drugstore, or one of Shea’s numerous sporting events growing up. She spent all the time with them that she could, even when it drove them nuts. Things will be lonelier now that she is gone, and she will be missed.

Dixie was the oldest and the last living of four siblings. She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Ott, son-in-law, Ted Ott, granddaughter, Shea Satterfield, grandson-in-law, Cade Satterfield (whom she spoiled greatly), great grandson, Hayes Satterfield, and her long-standing heart-throb, Mack Brown. If you’re looking for a memorial, this is it. She didn’t want anyone fussing over her.