Dixie Nell Thomas Mitchell, 70, was born April 20, 1951, to Willie Lee Thomas and Katie Mae Shields, in Louisville, Mississippi. She was a lifelong resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Ms. Mitchell departed this life, Wednesday, August 27, 2021.

After the birth of Dixie's sister, Leonia, her mother moved their family to Gulfport, Mississippi, where she met Mr. Cornell McCree. This relationship yielded a blended family and eventually additional children would be born into the family. Dixie attended and completed her primary education within the Harrison County School District. Her "high school days" proved to be quiet enjoyable and memorable, it was in high school that Dixie learned how to sew. She was reared in the Baptist faith and walked in the light of the Lord.

After completing high school, Dixie would meet and marry her husband, William Gerald Mitchell. To this union a daughter was born, Gerolyn Mitchell. A short time after Gerolyn's birth, Dixie moved to California where she completed the necessary requirements to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. This was done through the Veteran's Administration. After receiving her certification, as a Nursing Assistant, Dixie would go on to work for many years in California. After her time in California came to an end, she moved back to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. In 1990, she was blessed with another child, Timothy Mitchell, whom Dixie referred to as her Rottweiler. This was the life of a daughter, wife, and mother who would do whatever it took to ensure that her family was safe and cared for.

It would seem to most that Dixie's family would be saddened by her earthly departure, yet they have chosen to see beyond the here and now. Her children confidently considers themselves blessed. Before her initial bout with a stroke, she was able to visit both her daughter and son, visiting Fort Knox, Kentucky, Camp Parks, California, and Springfield, Illinois. Dixie was a very caring, nurturing, and protective soul. She would give those she loved her last. She was an all-around woman. Dixie enjoyed sewing and making her own clothes, even her wedding gown. She was all things beautiful and fashionable. She enjoyed doing hair, especially a big wig. Her love for music, traveling, shopping, eating chicken (white meat only!), cokes, coffee, and smoking cigarettes made her unique, in her own way. She lived and she loved. May her life and memories be a blessing to all who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Willie Lee Thomas and Katie Mae Shields McCree; her step-father, Carnell McCree; three brothers, Sam McCree, Jimmy McCree, Lewis McCree; and a sister, Cornell (Nell) Dixon.

Dixie is survived by her son, Timothy Mitchell; her daughter, Gerolyn Mitchell; six brothers, Elijah (Mary) McCree, Lenear (Gloria) McCree, Melvin McCree, David Lee McCree, Michael (Deborah) McCree, Mack McCree; eight sisters, Rosie (Otis) Greene, Ora Denson, Mozella Hunter, Patricia Baldwin, Leonia Fairley, Lonnie Blathers, Linda McCree, Brenda (Wayne) Saucier; loving nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends.