Dixie Ann (Eastes) Mills

March 14, 1935 ~ September 1, 2022
Dixie Ann (Eastes) Mills entered her eternal home on September 1, 2022. Dixie was born on March 14, 1935, to Russell C. and Thelma (Lehr) Eastes in Kinsley, KS. She was the sixth of seven children, who were raised in Pratt, KS. Dixie graduated from Pratt High School and then attended Pratt Community College where she met Norman D. Mills. They were married in 1954. Two children were born to Norman and Dixie Mills, Dee Ann (Mills) Merhoff and Cindy Jo Mills. While her children were in elementary school, Dixie completed her education at Wichita State University. She taught school in Wichita, USD 259; at Colorado Mountain College, Glenwood Springs, Colorado; Barton County Community College in Great, KS; and Pratt County Community College in Pratt, KS. She loved her family, her pets, teaching, and painting. She was a member of KS Art Guild for many years. She was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church. Dixie was preceded in death by daughter, Cindy Jo Mills, husband, Norman; sisters, Wanda Reed, Pratt, KS, Betty Freeman, Great Bend, KS, Suellen Epp, Pratt, KS; brothers, Russell J. Eastes, Dallas, TX, Jack Eastes and Bob Eastes, Pratt, KS. She is survived by daughter, Dee Ann (Stan) Merhoff; grandsons, Cody Merhoff, Erik (Janet) Merhoff; great grandsons, Luke, Owen, and Liam Merhoff; numerous nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed.
Services will be held on Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at 10:30 am, at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, with Graveside service and burial at Iuka Cemetery, Iuka, KS at 2:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to: Kansas School for the Deaf (KSD) Endowment Association, ATTN: Treasurer, 450 East Park Street, Olathe, KS 66061; Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 7901 West 21st Street, North, Wichita, KS 67205; Kansas Humane Society, 3313 N. Hillside, Wichita, KS 67219. Services in care of Downing & Lahey Mortuary - West Chapel. Share tributes online at: www.dlwichita.com
In loving memory of a wonderful person. I love you and will miss you.
My condolences to Dixie’s family. I knew Dixie through the Kansas Art Guild. We worked on a few projects together. She was delightful to work with. I appreciated her positive attitude and willingness to dig in and get the job done. I loved her art, too! Dixie will be missed. Sharon Leiker