Funeral services for Mrs. Wanda Ruth Sharp Dixon will be held on Tuesday, January 14, 2020, at 11:30 a.m. at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home, with the Reverends Robert T. Sharp and Mike Sahler officiating. Burial will be held at the Mississippi Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Newton at 2:00 p.m. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Mrs. Dixon, age 80, of Meridian, peacefully passed away on January 9, 2020, at Regency Hospital of Meridian surrounded by her loving family and some special nurses.
Wanda was married to Richard A. Dixon on August 18, 1957. From this union came three daughters, Janet Lynn, Susan Beth, and Linda Diane. These children have produced nine grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from Mississippi State University, her Master’s Degree in Mathematics from the University of Southern Mississippi, and her coursework toward her Doctorate in Mathematics from the University of Mississippi. She taught Mathematics at Meridian Community College for twenty-five years and was chair of the Mathematics and Science Division. She taught Mathematics at Mississippi College for three years, Mathematics at the University of Chattanooga one year, and High School Mathematics at Clinton High School, Washington School, and Greenville High School. Twice she won the Outstanding Teacher Award at Meridian Community College.
Wanda was a gentle soul who never intentionally hurt anyone. She was not one to hold a grudge; she considered that counter-productive. She was able to laugh at herself and loved a good joke. She had an infectious smile.
She loved to travel and has visited all fifty states and fourteen foreign countries.
In 2002, she discovered she had kidney cancer on her right kidney. The kidney was removed, and Wanda retired in June of 2002.
While on vacation in Montana, an x-ray showed a spot on her lung. The local doctor suggested she show the x-ray to her family doctor upon returning home. In November, she showed the x-ray to Dr. Rhonda Wilson who immediately referred Wanda to a surgeon. In December 2002, her right lung was removed. The doctor commented that it was a shame to have to discard such a nice pink lung. Most of his patients were smokers, and their lungs showed up as black. She was discharged from the hospital on Christmas Day 2002. The doctor gave her less than a one percent chance to survive another five years. She continued to live another 17 years. She was on a regimen of Thalidomide and Interferon for a year. She may be gentle, but she was a tough old lady who never gave up on her fight to live.
She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Richard “Dick” Dixon; sister, Carolyn Sue Ford (Daryl); brother, Reverend Robert T. Sharp (Cynthia); children, Janet McMurtray, Susan Duke (Jimmy), and Diane Holland (Mike); grandchildren, Benjamin McMurtray (Michelle), Lisa McMurtray, Lindsay McMurtray (Lauren), Michael Duke, Shay Duke, Crystal White (Jamie), Steven Holland, and Megan Holland; grand-daughter-in-law, Marcie Duke; great-grandchildren, Colin Duke, Paxton Duke, Taylor Sims, Shelby Sims, Lanna Duke, Steven Duke, Cadie White and William White; great-great-granddaughter, Ryleigh Kate Sullivan; and a myriad of nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jesse E. and Helen M. Sharp and one grandson, Landon T. Duke.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Wounded Warrior Project or the church or charity of your choice.
The family will receive friends on Monday, January 13, 2020, from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
O God our Father, Creator of all the living, we entrust to Your gentle care
all those we love who have gone before us;
and have gone to their rest in the hope of rising again. . . .
Eternal rest, grant unto Wanda Ruth Sharp Dixon, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon her.
May the souls of the faithful departed
through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
