Dixie Lee Stevenson

Dixie Lee Templeton, Nelson, Stevenson of Kennewick, Washington, passed away on August 14, 2015, she was 81 years old. Dixie was formerly a resident of Red Bluff, Los Molinos, Vallejo and Redding, California. Dixie Lee Templeton was born on December 29, 1933 in Miller County Missouri to Nina and Arley Templeton. The family moved to California in the early 1940's to work on the Shasta Dam and work in the orchards. They purchased a ranch in Los Molinos where Dixie spent her childhood, attending grade school and high school. She made many lifelong friends and graduated from the Los Molinos High School in 1951. After graduation from high school, Dixie went to work for an insurance company in Red Bluff, California. Dixie met her husband James "Dale" Nelson in 1955, they married in Red Bluff, California in 1956, and had two children; Twyla in 1957 and David in 1958. Dale died tragically in Redding, California in 1959, leaving Dixie a young widow with two children. Dixie felt the welfare of her children should come first and dedicated her to raising her children. Dixie remained in Redding, California and in the years following Dale's death became active in her community. Dixie was a founding member of the Epsilon Sigma Alpha Sorority and later served as president. She was active in the March of Dimes and served many positions in that organization; she was active in the PTA, aided in Boy Scouts, Blue Birds and encouraged her children to become involved in many organizations. In the late 1960's, Dixie returned to work for the State of California, first as a secretary, and later working her way into Management Services at the Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement. She was always an avid learner and took community ed classes throughout her working career. in 1976 Robert "Bob" Stevenson, an old high school classmate entered her life. She and Bob had so much fun together that she reconsidered her decision to remain single. Dixie and Bob were married in 1976 and she started a new chapter in her life in Vallejo, California. They purchased a home on a hill with a fantastic view of the shipyards and Dixie set about becoming a wonderful step-mother. By all accounts she succeeded and continued to maintain her relationships with Bob's children even after he passed away in 1994. In 1997, Dixie again made a big change in her life when she moved back to her childhood town of Los Molinos, California. Once again she was back on a small ranch, caring for the land. She delighted in the families of ducks, quail, skunks, deer and other wild life that abounded around her. In 2006, Dixie decided that the ranch was too much for a single woman to handle and moved to Red Bluff. She purchased her first new home and was delighted to entertain her family and friends there. In late 2012, after some health concerns, Dixie decided it was time to move closer to family. She chose Washington State to be close to her daughter and grandchildren. She maintained her independence until health concerns dictated a need for assisted living. Chenoweth House was her final home. The staff there loved her and she loved them back, always known for her sense of humor, she razzed everyone she came in contact with. Dixie died on August 14, 2015 in the presence of her family. It is a special privilege to be present when a loved one passes away. Mom was there to bring me into life and I was there to usher her out, the circle of life in unbroken. Preceding her in death are her husbands, James "Dale" Nelson (1959) and Robert "Bob" Stevenson (1994); her parents Nina and Arley Templeton; and her sister, Jewell Templeton Drenon. Dixie was the last matriarch of the family, her shoes will be impossible to fill. She leaves behind her daughter Twyla Gentle (Walter) of Burbank, Washington; son David Nelson (Cheryl) of Mountain Home, her grandchildren, Renee Storm (Eric) of Portland, Oregon, Lindsey Lockwood (Jeremy) of Vancouver, Washington, Matthew Gentle of Burbank, Washington, and Leanne Sherwood (Nathan) of Gonzales, Louisiana; and her great grandchildren Eva Lockwood and Hailey Sherwood. She leaves behind her beloved step children, Lance Stevenson of Susanville, California, Jana Bator (Victor) of Sloughhouse, California, David Stevenson (Elaine) of Sacremento, California and Mike Stevenson (Linda) of Anderson, California and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Funeral Services will take place at the First Church of God on Luther Road in Red Bluff, California on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at 2:00 p.m., reception will follow. A private interment will take place at the Los Molinos Cemetery. Please send no flowers but make a contribution to the charity of your choice.