Dixie Lynne Johnson's Obituary
Dixie Lynne Johnson returned peacefully to her heavenly home on Friday, December 23, 2023
at the age of 77. Services to honor her life will be held at Premier Funeral Services at 67 East
8000 South Salt Lake City, Utah with a viewing held from 10:00 -12:00 and funeral service
immediately following. Interment will be at Elysian Burial Gardens at 1075 East 4580 South in
Millcreek.
Dixie is survived by her daughter Joylynne Suzanne Brown, daughter Jennifer Eden Brown
Simpson (Lorin), and Grandchildren Connor Emery, Jessica Gregory (Spencer), Landon
Simpson (Kaylee), Rebecca Simpson, Holland Simpson, Sierra Brown, Kate Simpson, and
Grace Simpson, sisters Janis Smith (Mike), Sheri West (Steve), Vicki Dunnigan (Jim), and
brother John Johnson (Correne).
She is preceded in death by her parents, James LeRoy Johnson and Belva Arlene Hulse
Johnson, brother, Kenneth Johnson, sisters Grace Johnson, Darlene Cook, Joyce Skeen, and
Donna Blake.
Dixie was born in Murray, Utah to James and Belva Johnson. She was the fourth daughter of a
large and loving family of seven sisters and two brothers. She graduated from Granite High
School in 1964 and married David Brown in 1966. They were married for 27 years. They had
two daughters, Joylynne Suzanne and Jennifer Eden.
Dixie’s dream of life was to be a mother. She would proudly list “homemaker” as her occupation
on any form, application, or document. Taking care of her home and family brought her great joy.
She often told her children that being a mother was her favorite job and that she “wouldn’t want
to do anything else.” She loved children and loved taking care of them. She was a loving and
dedicated mother but also a wonderful aunt. Her title of “Aunt Dixie” was as important as
mother. She loved her nieces and nephews and took delight and joy in spending time with them
and helping take care of them. When she had grandchildren, “Grandma Dixie” became another
important title that she cherished. She dedicated much of her time to tending and caring for
them. Her siblings, children, nieces and nephews, and grandchildren were her whole world.
Children were her greatest joy and she was their greatest gift.
She had an extremely generous nature and genuinely loving heart. She gave freely and
generously without ever thinking of what she’d get in return.
For a time, she served in the Jordan River LDS Temple nursery and said it was the most
beautiful experience taking care of the children waiting to be sealed to their parents. They would
all be dressed in white and “they all looked like little angels.” She would come home from
serving in the temple just glowing and filled with a happy peace about her.
She battled difficult challenges throughout life and was grateful for the love and help that was
given by so many. As her body dwindled, she somehow pulled back from death’s grip multiple
times even baffling many doctors, nurses, and surgeons. Her family commented several times
that she truly had nine lives.
She could not let go of her great love of family here on earth despite tremendous pain and
suffering, but finally returned to heaven at Christmas time where she is finally able to rest in
heavenly peace surrounded by the love of family anxiously awaiting her there.
Our deepest heartfelt thanks to all those who so lovingly cared for her at Beehive Homes and
her incredible aides and nurses from Canyon Hospice.
What’s your fondest memory of Dixie?
What’s a lesson you learned from Dixie?
Share a story where Dixie's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Dixie you’ll never forget.
How did Dixie make you smile?
