Betty Jo Dixon

Betty Jo Dixon, 82, of Mauriceville, Texas passed away October 6, 2011 at Harbor Hospice in Beaumont.Betty was born and raised in Port Neches, Texas on September 28, 1929 to the late James Avon and Shelton Aycock Dean. She later moved to Houston and worked for Gulf Oil several years, there and in Beaumont. For many years to spend time with her daughter, she ran her own homebased secretarial service.In 1980, she became executive manager of the Nederland Chamber of Commerce, a vocation she loved, and worked there until her retirement fifteen years later. Afterwards she worked as a columnist for the Midcounty and Orange editions of the newspaper, and even helped manage a lodge in Taos, NM during the winter ski season, and volunteered as a model for various charity style shows.During her career she served terms as an elected board member of the Jefferson County Water District 10. She has been involved with the Nederland Heritage Festival Committee, Eastern Star, Camp Fire Girls, American Cancer Society, Nederland Rotary Club, DuPont Citizens Advisory Committee, Jefferson county Historical Society, and March of Dimes. She has also been an active member of the El Mina Shrine Circus Committee and supported the many activities of the El Mina Shrine Temple with her husband, Aubrey, a member since 1972.She was inducted into the East Texas Women39s Hall of Fame and cited as Citizen of the Year by the Business and Professional Women39s Club, and received a grant to teach Tourist Development in Moscow, Russia. She was also a member of the Mauriceville United Methodist Church.While always working diligently in her professional life and citizen involvement, her true love was always her family and extended circle of friends. She made sure her table was always laden with her special homemade goodies, and many will forever treasure her special gifts of mayhaw jelly she handed out to show her special favor. She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Aubrey Dixon. She is survived by her loving daughter of Mauriceville, Deana McMahon. She is also survived by her most precious granddaughters, Maggie and Faith McMahon of Port Neches and brothers, Jim Dean of Nederland and Dick Dean of Woodville.She was the center and glue of our family, and we will miss and honor her always.A gathering of family and friends will be held at Melancon39s Funeral Home, 1605 Avenue H in Nederland Saturday, October 8, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, October 9, 2011 at Memory Gardens of Jefferson County Cemetery in Nederland, Rev. Dr. Douglas Caldwell officiating.