BLACKSHEAR — Mrs. Dorothy Dixon Kicklighter Wildes of Blackshear passed peacefully Wednesday evening, April 26, 2023. She was born Dorothy Annette Dixon to Daniel Ephriam and Anna Belle (Walker) Dixon on August 26, 1934. Dorothy went to Blackshear High School and enjoyed playing basketball. She graduated in 1952. After high school, Dorothy graduated from South Georgia College, and married her high school sweetheart, Capt. Edward I. Kicklighter. Together, they served many tours of duty in the states and around the world, such as Charleston, S.C., San Antonio, Texas, Adonna, Turkey, and various other Air Force Bases. Dorothy worked as a secretary for the stockbrokers, Hornblower and Weeks in Springfield, Mass. She met and married her second husband, James Otis Wildes, Jr., during her time in Massachusetts and they moved to Blackshear in 1973 so that she could be closer to her mother and father. Dorothy worked as a legal secretary for Judge Francis Houston until her retirement. She and Jim were very active in the American Legion Post 181 with each serving multiple terms as Auxiliary President and Commander, respectively. Dorothy loved watching her University of Georgia Bulldogs, gardening, and watching the many birds that frequented her yard. Her most favorite activity was dancing, and it was not uncommon for her to stay on the dance floor from the time she arrived at the American Legion until the band quit playing. She lived a very full and active life, was the most kind and gentle soul and a true Southern Belle. One of her closest friends, Roderick Langevin, spent time traveling with her the last few years of her life. Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents, D.E. and Anna Belle Dixon; her brother-in-law and younger sister, Lt. Col. Robert S. and Mary Chase; as well as many other cousins, aunts and uncles. She is survived by her brother-in-law and youngest sister, Don and Joyce Fowler of Sugarland, Texas; daughters and son-in-law, Teresa (Terri) Dobson (Steve Carroll), and Bonnie and William S. (Billy) King all of Jacksonville; grandsons and granddaughters-in-law, Keith and Camille Dobson, Jeremy Dobson, Kyle Dobson, Thomas and Melissa Watkins, and Ben Watkins; step grandsons-in-law and step-granddaughters, Jack and Stephanie Siney, and Chris and Tiffany Daugherty; great grandchildren, Keira and Kayla Dobson, Dylan Rambo, Gavin, Harper, and Mila Watkins; and step great grandchildren, Laci Davis, Blake and Emma Davis, McKenzie Dougherty, and Deklan Dougherty; and one step great-great grandchild, Cash Davis; as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 2, at the Pearson-Dial Chapel. Interment was in the Blackshear Cemetery. A guest book can be signed at www.pearsondial.com, and anyone wishing to contribute to GHC in lieu of sending flowers may donate in her name by contacting GHC Hospice, 1908 Tebeau Street, Waycross, 31501. Pearson-Dial Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
