Barbara Ann Smith Dixon, 86, passed away Monday, June 3, 2024, in Shelby, N.C.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Della Irene Robbins Smith; her father, James Thomas Smith; and her husband, Sidney Stern Dixon, Jr.

Barbara was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, friend and loyal community volunteer. She was preceded in death by husband, Sidney Stern Dixon, Jr., her lifelong love. Her immediate family survivors are son Sidney Stern Dixon III and his wife Louise Dixon, of Charlotte N.C.; daughter Laura Dixon Lampley and her husband Chuck Lampley, MD, of Shelby, N.C.; and five grandchildren, Hannah Dixon and husband Craig Malkmes of Edwards, Colorado.; Sidney Stern Dixon IV and his wife Meredith H. Dixon and newly-born great granddaughter, Charlotte Eloise Dixon, of Denver, Colorado.; Elizabeth Lampley, of Charlotte N.C.; Sydney Lampley Warren and husband John Thomas Warren, of Winston-Salem N.C.; and Sarah Lampley, of Fairbanks, Alaska. She also dearly loved her three brothers and one sister.

Born April 10,1938, in Tarboro, N.C., Barbara moved to Wilson N.C. as a young child where she later graduated from Charles L. Coon High School. She attended Atlantic Christian College where she served as freshman representative.

On March 2, 1957, she married her childhood sweetheart, Sid, in Pensacola, Fla., where he was stationed in the U.S. Navy. They were married for 67 years.

Barbara fiercely loved her family life and also was an active church

member and community volunteer. A member of Shelby Presbyterian Church, she has served on the Worship Guild, as a church youth group leader, a Sunday School teacher, a volunteer at the church's Hot Lunch and Food Ministry outreach program, and a member and leader of the Sarah Circle. She was a longtime Welcome Wagon member and thoroughly enjoyed her time with her Book Club. She earned her real estate broker's license in 1977, and she was a substitute school teacher in many of the towns in which she and Sid lived. In her younger years, she enjoyed golf, hiking and gardening.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Shelby Presbyterian Church to commemorate Barbara's life on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at 3:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall with the Rev. Drew Mangione. A short reception for family and friends will immediately follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland County N.C., P.O. Box 2908, Shelby, N.C. 28151 and the Shelby Presbyterian Church Emergency Assistance Fund, 226 E. Graham St, P.O. Box 1444, Shelby, N.C. 28151.

Online condolences can be made at cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory is compassionately serving the family.