Obituary: Dixie Simms Lyons

Dixie Simms Lyons peacefully passed away Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, surrounded by those she loved. She was 81 years old.

Dixie was born in Charleston, West Virginia, to parents Bernard Simms and Cloda Jarrett Simms. She moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, in her 20s where she later married Tom Lyons, and together they had three children Teresa, Lisa and Tom (Jr.). Dixie is survived by her loving husband Tom Lyons; children Teresa Lyons Aken, Lisa Lyons Hurston and Tom Lyons (Jr.); brother Robert (Bob) Simms; son-in-law Kurt Aken; and five grandchildren, Tommy Lyons, Eric Lyons, Ashley Aken, Alex Aken and Lindsay Hurston.

Dixie was an amazing wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother and friend to many. She dearly loved her family and had a solid faith in Jesus Christ. She enjoyed travel, spending time with family and friends and studying scripture. She was a longtime member of Church of the Messiah in Winter Garden, Florida. She devoted many hours volunteering with her church, Golden Pond assisted living with her service dog Murphy, Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital, Nemours Children’s Hospital and Corner Stone Hospice.

A celebration of Dixie’s life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Church of the Messiah Episcopal Church, 241 N. Main St., Winter Garden, Florida, 34787.  In lieu of flowers, Dixie’s request was for donations to be made either to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation 1850 Lee Rd # 111, Winter Park, Florida, 32789 or to Cornerstone Hospice Foundation 2445 Lane Park Road, Tavares, Florida, 32778. Professional services by Dobbs Funeral Home, (407) 578-7720.