Julie and I were lucky enough to be born to our mother, Dixie Lee Turner Smith. She was a fun loving mother, always making sure we got to experience new adventures, and always dressed us appropriately for the occasion. We were so lucky to have her as long as we did. 

She never met a stranger, and as a result she had more friends than I could ever wish for. She loved everyone and they certainly loved her back. I am sure there are thousands of good stories that we have never heard, and I hope they will be shared here.

She lived her life the way she wanted to and we all were along for the ride.  She made us laugh with her dry wit and humor and we cried along with her when something would touch her heart.  Julie and I both inherited that trait from our mother.  

I am going to miss her every day of my life.  I have a huge hole in my heart that will never go away. I know with time it will feel less bad than it does now. And I have assurance that my mother went from this life immediately into the presence of her lord and saviour Jesus Christ.

God gives us gifts that we don't even realize when they are given to us.  He gave my sister and I the gift of spending mom's last week together, having fun and adventuring!  We did everything on her checklist before she went to sleep and moved on to eternity.

I love you mom.  I always will. 

Her memorial service and obituary are below:

Dixie Lee Turner Smith (9/17/1948 - 5/25/2016)
 

Dixie Lee Turner Smith of Mooresville, NC passed peacefully from this life into eternity with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on May 25, 2016. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She never met a stranger. She loved unconditionally and was truly unique with her dry wit, laughter and insight. Dixie was a 1966 Graduate of Harry P Harding High School in Charlotte, N. C. and a woman of many talents.  One of her best talents was making people laugh and she did with her quick wit.  Also, she was a master at  keeping up with friends.  She loved the people she went to school with and made it a point to go to all of the Ocean Drive Harding/West Reunions.   Her friends and family were the most important thing in her life.  She was a Christian and knew that there was a place in heaven for her and we are all sure that she is there today. She is survived by her husband Dennis Rice; her sisters Karen Turner (John) Robinson, Linda Wilder, and Pat Dysart; her children Gina Smith (John) Pask, Julie Smith Littlefield (Larry Skeen), Aimee (Joel) Barbon, Laura (Mark) Johnson, Sean (Shannon) Rice and Jason Rice; her in-law’s Blanche and George Booth, Butch (Yonnie) Smith, Darlene Jones, Debra (David) McGee; her grandchildren Adam Brent Littlefield, Aaron Lee (Elizabeth) Littlefield, Lucia Barbon, Aurelia Barbon, Delilah Barbon, Kaitlyn Johnson, Brendan Johnson, Connor Rice, Payton Rice, Aaryn Rice, Zowey Rice, Michele Rice and Jamison Rice; and her nieces and nephews Kristen Funderburke (Ed Judge), Kim Cook, Ben Jones, Monique Jones, Bryan (Joan) McGee, Michelle McGee and Bethany (Bryan) Bontrager. She was pre-deceased by her parents Betty and Buford Turner and her son-in-law Brent Littlefield. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at the Charles Mack Citizen Center, 215 N. Main St., Mooresville NC. The family will receive guests beginning at noon, followed by the memorial service starting at 1:00 PM. A brief reception will follow with light refreshments from 2 to 3 PM. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to an animal rescue shelter of your choice in Dixie’s honor.