Dixie Murriel Deatherage

Dixie Deatherage, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully at age 98 on Monday, February 19, 2018, at Benefis Hospital. Dixie was born on August 19, 1919 in Ponco City, OK to Warren and Helen Parks. She graduated from high school and attended beauty school in Clinton, MO. Dixie was a professional beautician for many years. She met and married her husband, J. Wilson Branstetter in 1941. They moved to Dallas, TX where Wilson attended Dallas Theological Seminary. Upon finishing schooling, they returned to Missouri and began to serve numerous churches. Dixie’s greatest joy was being a mother to her cherished daughter, Linda. She worked as a church secretary, but her true passion was music. She was an accomplished pianist and enjoyed playing in the many churches they served together. Dixie continued to love entertaining audiences by playing the piano and organ. She performed in dance bands, senior centers, community events, and most recently loved to entertain in the retirement homes where she lived. In her final years, she lived at Eagles Manor, The Lodge, and lastly at Missouri River Center. After the passing of her beloved husband, Wilson, she later married Gail Deatherage and moved to Milton, WA. During this time, Dixie began her love of playing in dance bands and enjoyed square dancing with Gail. They were married for 17 years until his passing in 1983. Although she loved having all of her family visit her in Washington, she made the decision in 2000, to move to Montana to be closer to Linda and her family. Her move to MT was a wonderful blessing, as her loved ones treasured spending so much time together. Dixie is survived by her daughter, Linda (Dale) Hallock of Great Falls, MT; granddaughter Karla (James) Rogers of Simms, MT; grandson Chris (Karri) Hallock of Laurel, MT; granddaughter Kelly (Shawn) Evans of Katy, TX; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Dixie was known for her elegant sense of style, charming storytelling, and love of family. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Her family is thankful to God for her long and fulfilling life. They know she is now accompanying the Heavenly choir. A memorial celebration of Dixie’s life will be held Saturday, February 24, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel in Great Falls, MT.