Joy Dixon

Memorial service for Joy Dixon will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 19, 2020 at Meridian Mortuary, Newcastle, WY. Joy Ann Dixon, 82, of Newcastle, Wyoming, passed away on Thursday, June 11, 2020 at Monument Health in Rapid City, South Dakota, due to extensive injuries she received in an accident at the family ranch the day before.  Joy Ann Dixon (Bray) was born March 16, 1938 in Wheatland, Wyoming to Ilene Harvey and Herbert Bray.  Her siblings include Wilamine (deceased infant), Lemuel Bray, Fred Bray, Donna Baltz (Deceased), Mara Vi Bechtold, Herb Bray, Rebekah Straw, Julia Miller, Emma Meyers, and Philip Bray. Joy met the love of her life, Max Dixon at a high school football game in Douglas, WY.  They were joined in marriage on April 15, 1955 in Rapid City, South Dakota.  After their marriage, they moved to the Dixon ranch, located southwest of Newcastle, where she lived the rest of her life. Max and Joy were blessed with five children being born to them; Susie Baty, (Michael) of Wasilla, Alaska; Danny Dixon (deceased); Stanley Dixon (Tina) of Newcastle; Debbie Dixon of Newcastle; Randy Dixon (Mary) of Newcastle.  Joy’s grandchildren include Ezra, Elisha, and Jared Baty; Amity Davis and Leslie Dixon; Brandon Dixon; Michael and Ryan Dixon.  Joy also had 13 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. When people describe knowing Joy, there seems to be a common theme.  She was kind.  She would do anything she could to help people out when needed.  Joy always placed the needs of others above her own.  Joy’s life was filled with experiences and people she loved up until her passing.  She still lived independently on her ranch, and she loved the ranch life.  Joy was a hard worker, which came from her upbringing.  In Joy’s younger years, she spent her time raising her 5 kids and keeping a home with Max, until he passed away in 2005.  Those early years kept her extremely busy.  As a mom of five busy kids, they still found time for fishing, rock hunting, exploring old homesteads, going to and participating in rodeos, and last, but not least, attending annual family reunions. Joy’s extended family is close-knit, and the family reunions still happen to this day, although maybe not as often.  Joy loved going to these, to connect with all of her siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.  She would usually bring her infamous potato salad and deviled eggs, but not before having everyone in the room try the deviled egg filling to make sure it was ok.  After Max’s passing, Joy re-committed herself to the Lord.  She knew and understood that she wanted to have eternal life with Max and her savior, Jesus Christ.  Joy enjoyed Bible study and attending church and church functions, as much as busy ranch life allowed her to. The past several years challenged Joy in ways she never imagined possible.  Although she dealt with some medical issues that would slow most people down, Joy still lived life to the fullest.  She loved attending BINGO at the VFW, where she was also an active member of the women’s auxiliary.  She was usually joined by kids, grandkids, and great grandkids to play alongside her.  She enjoyed traveling and was always up for a new adventure.  She visited grandkids in other states, including a trip to Alaska a couple of years ago, which she loved and was planning to go back again soon.  She enjoyed trips to Deadwood, Hill City to shop the boutiques, and Rapid City, where she especially enjoyed shopping at the bookstore to pick up her favorite westerns, which she could always be seen reading.  Joy loved having the opportunity to get together with family to play cards, especially Hand and Foot (a family favorite), and Oh Hell!  Both games were equally competitive and not without many laughs, shouts, and snarky comments, all in good fun! Joy loved to crochet and she crochet every one of her grandkids a blanket when they were born.  It was always so impressive at the complicated patterns she would choose, and her ability to follow and understand them with perfection.  She was also very skilled at embroidery and was known to make newly married couples a set of “days of the week” tee towels for a wedding gift. She also made each of her grandkids a set of their own pillowcases.   You couldn’t walk into Joy’s house without seeing a jig saw puzzle on the card table.  She loved doing them, and inevitably, anyone who came in, couldn’t resist placing a piece or two, themselves.    Joy always made sure that she had a special treat in her freezer from the Schwan man for when the grandkids visited.  She loved reading western books and watching western movies on tv, especially John Wayne.  Joy’s tragic and unexpected passing will leave a terrible void in our lives.  We find comfort in knowing that she has eternal life in heaven, and we’re thankful for the fun and beautiful memories we have of her. Joy was preceded in death by her mother, father, husband, two sisters, and son, Danny.  Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of Meridian Mortuary 111 South Railroad Ave, Newcastle, WY 82716. Condolences may also be expressed at www.meridianmortuary.com