Dixie Willingham

Dixie McDonald Willingham, 64, died suddenly May 5, 2008, after being hospitalized with pneumonia. Although she struggled for years with Parkinson’s disease and cancer, she never lost the will to live. She lived life to its fullest and never focused on her illness nor did she complain. Dixie was born on November 5, 1943, in Evansville, Indiana, where her father worked in the shipyards during World War II. After the war the McDonalds moved home to Carthage, Tennessee. She graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1965 and moved to Atlanta with her three college roommates. Dixie was teaching school in Atlanta when she met Randy, the love of her life. They married and moved to Marietta where she taught school at Hickory Hills Elementary. She was a member of St. James Episcopal Church, The Junior League of Cobb-Marietta, and the Laurel Heritage Garden Club. Dixie loved organizing dinner parties, following the University of Tennessee football games, and debating politics with her more conservative friends. However, her all-time favorite activity was shopping. She also loved to travel with Randy, even though travel became more difficult as her disease progressed. They recently returned from Las Vegas where they stayed up late and saw shows. Dixie’s selflessness and love for all people was demonstrated when in 1998 she and Randy opened their home to a family of Kosovo refugees. She was a source of support and affection to them up until her death. She was a devoted mother to her daughter and son and adored their new families. She had many wonderful friends whom she loved like family. She will always be remembered by her family and friends for her beauty, style and sense of humor. Dixie is survived by her mother, Kathleen Willey McDonald of Marietta, Georgia; her husband, Randolph Claiborne Willingham; her daughter and son-in-law, Julia Willingham Townsend and Carl Tyler Townsend of Austin, Texas; her son and daughter-in-law, Randolph Claiborne Willingham, Jr. and Rebecca Wood Willingham of Acworth, Georgia; grandchildren, Helen Grayson Townsend; William Claiborne Townsend; Charles Willingham Townsend; Marshall Thomas Willingham; and Nathan Randolph Willingham. The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, May 9, at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home, Marietta, Georgia. Services will be held at St. James Episcopal Church, 161 Church St. NE, Marietta, Georgia 30060, on Saturday, May 10, at 2 p.m. Contributions may be sent to the Humane Society of Cobb County, 148 Fairground St. SE, Marietta, Georgia 30060 or to the Humane Society Mountain Shelter, P. O. Box 1252, Blairsville, Georgia 30514.

Dixie Willingham

May 7, 2008