Dixie Kay Larkin

St. George, Utah – Dixie Kay Barnum Larkin returned home to her Heavenly Father on August 28, 2025, in St. George, Utah, at the age of 83. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend whose life was stitched together with faith, family, and service.

Born April 25, 1942, in Cedar City, Utah, to Leon and Alice Truman Barnum, Dixie spent her childhood in the small community of Enterprise, Utah. She liked to say she grew up in a tiny house long before it was fashionable. Their home started out as a cardboard-lined, two-room shack that her father transformed into a cozy home, despite having to rely on an outdoor bathroom. She learned to work early, tending chickens and lambs, sewing her own clothes on a treadle machine, and helping her mother preserve the garden's harvest. She cherished time with her grandparents and cousins, Sunday radio dramas, sugar-sprinkled bread, and the long, joyful days of small-town life.

Dixie graduated from Enterprise High School in 1960, where she was a cheerleader, pep club member, editor of The Breeze newspaper, and E-Day Queen. She loved tap dancing and playing the guitar and often performed with friends at community programs and fairs. She attended Dixie College, where she performed as a Songleader and member of the Rebelette drill team, and later graduated from the College of Southern Utah (now Southern Utah University) with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education.

On June 27, 1964, Dixie married the love of her life, Dale Larkin, in the St. George Temple. Together, they built a home filled with faith, laughter, and love. Dixie and Dale shared a one-in-a-million love story-a relationship built on mutual respect, deep affection, and spiritual devotion. It was the kind of bond most people only dream of, and it remained strong and tender through every season of life.

In the late 60s, Dixie and her friend LaVerne Hirschi opened the ABC Shop, St. George's first children's clothing store. She later owned and operated a pre-school with her dear friend Merrilyn Guymon. But her greatest joy came from being a full-time wife and mother. Dixie treasured her role as mother to her five children and was actively involved in supporting them in their various activities. She was an outstanding cook, seamstress, crafter, and homemaker, and had a knack for making every holiday feel magical. She was a wonderful hostess, and her home was always a favorite gathering place for friends and family.

Dixie was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, offering countless hours of service, compassion, and care to others. From 2000 to 2003, Dixie and Dale served as Mission Leaders in the Spain Bilbao Mission, a calling they cherished deeply. Later, while Dale served as President of the St. George Temple from 2013 to 2016, Dixie served alongside him as Temple Matron, where her warmth and devotion touched many lives.

Having grown up in Southern Utah in the 1940s during a time of nuclear testing in Nevada, she later earned the unfortunate title of "Downwinder," developing (and beating) thyroid cancer in the 1970s. In her later years, Dixie faced a period of declining health, yet she remained thankful for the kindness of nurses and the simple blessings that surrounded her.

She was known for her clever sayings, quick wit, and small-town jargon, which always kept the family laughing. She had a secret sassy side that only those closest to her got to see, and it made her all the more endearing to those who loved her most.

Dixie is preceded in death by her parents, Alice & Leon Barnum. She is survived by her beloved husband, Dale Herman Larkin; children: Tiffany Wilson (Scott), Timothy Larkin (Valarie), Travis Larkin (Maria), Allison Larkin-Mudliar, Jeremy Larkin (Jen Lambert); 17 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and brothers: Douglas Barnum (Agatha) and Garth Barnum (Vicki).

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. in the Morningside Stake Center, 881 South River Road, St. George, Utah. Visitations will be held at the Stake Center Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, prior to services, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Interment will be in the St. George City Cemetery located at 600 East 100 South.

Those unable to attend are invited to view the services at the following link: Livestream Link

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