Dorothy Dixon Kicklighter Wildes of Blackshear, Georgia, passed peacefully Wednesday evening, April 26, 2023.
She was born Dorothy Annette Dixon to Daniel Ephriam and Anna Belle Walker Dixon August 26, 1934.
She went to Blackshear High School and enjoyed playing basketball. She graduated in 1952. After high school, she graduated from South Georgia College and married her high school sweetheart, Captain Edward I. Kicklighter. Together, they served many tours of duty in the states and around the world, such as Charleston, SC, San Antonio, TX, Adonna, Turkey and various other Air Force Bases. She worked as a secretary for the stockbrokers, Hornblower and Weeks in Springfield, MA. She met and married her second husband, James Otis Wildes Jr. during her time in MA and they moved to Blackshear in 1973 so that she could be closer to her mother and father. She 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. She loved watching her 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.
She was 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.
Survivors include her brother-in-law and youngest sister, Don and Joyce Fowler, Sugarland, TX; daughters and son-in-law, Teresa "Terri" (Steve Carroll) Dobson 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; one step-great-great grandchild, Cash Davis and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday, May 1, at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 2, from the Pearson-Dial Chapel.
Interment will be 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 St, Waycross, GA 31501.
Pearson-Dial Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.
