She was a mother to envy and a wonderful wife for Larry. Her name was Barbara Louise Dixon and she lived an exciting fun-filled life that abruptly ended on Sunday morning, May 20th, 2012. In her late years she fought a terrible progressive affliction called Pick's Disease. These years were marked with discomfort, frustration and remarkable courage. Barbara and Larry had 59 great years of marriage. Discharged from the U.S. Army in 1953 Barbara and Larry visited the Queen City and stopped to tour KYTV, a brand new television station. It turned out that Carl Fox was holding audition that day and Larry walked out of the station with a job. A ten year stint with KY3 ran parallel with a jam-packed social life. Lots of exciting sports car rally's, races and gag filled house parties. These were "Happy Times" indeed! In the pre-children years Barb chose to be both a stay-at-home mom and a career woman. When the children were in school, growing up, she chose to be at home. Before the babies and after the little ones become big ones she worked. At various times she was a traffic manager in a radio station; an officer in an ad agency; a staff member of Congressman Me Hancock; a cashier in a pizza parlor, a constituent advocate for Congressman Roy Blunt; and often a bookkeeper for her husband. Her son John turned out to be the kind of father and husband you might find in a fifties sitcom. He and his wife Andrea are in the process of raising twins. Their names are Nicole Marie and Stephan Walter Dixon. Both are so active in school in Nixa that they are almost a blur. Further evidence of Barbara's parenting talent can be found in daughter Diane Louise Miller here in Springfield. She and her husband Rob have a daughter names after her paternal Grandmother and her name is Serena Marie. She is fifteen and a freshman at Hillcrest High School excelling in everything athletic. Then, the third and end of the Dixon brood - daughter, Lora Kay. The oft spoke phrase: and the Last shall be First' holds true with Lora, as the Baby-of-the-Dixon-family delivered the First grandchild. Lora's son is - Ryan Olen. (The smart, polite lad just graduated from OTC to pride-filled applause from the entire Dixon clan!) These two generations of carefully molded, value-inspired lives were the treasures and rewards of Barbara Dixon's being. Barbara retired in April of 2010. The following month, breast cancer was discovered. Surmounting this struggle took fortitude. In December of 2010, she had a heart attack. Perseverance prevailed. Then, in January 2011, Barb and husband Larry were in a car-train wreck. Larry was hurt; although Barbara Dixon had no physical injuries, the traumatic episode was truly The beginning of her end.' Shortly thereafter, she was diagnosed with the onset of Pick's Disease - a disorder of the brain. Through all of Barbara's life, she was Strong Enough To Be Gentle.' At the hem of her lifetime, the courageous woman proved to be Gentle Enough To Be Strong.' Barbara came under the excellent care of Hospice Compassus.' They are worthy of memorial donations. The 10:00 A.M. funeral will be held at Central Christian Church, (Washington and Division) on Friday, May 25th under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel. A reception there will follow at 11:00 A.M. All wishing to celebrate Barbara's life are welcome.