Sharon Kathleen (Hollis) Dixon

Sharon Kathleen (Hollis) Dixon age 73 of Sullivan, MO passed away peacefully at home on Monday, November 14, 2022.

Sharon was born in Sullivan, MO on October 2, 1949, to Courtleigh (Dean) and Minerva (Mike) Hollis. She grew up and attended school in Sullivan graduating from Sullivan High School in the class of 1967. Sharon continued her education at the Metropolitan School of Business & Technology in Cape Girardeau, MO, receiving certification as a legal secretary. She was united in marriage on February 22, 1969, to Donald Eugene (Gene) Dixon at First Baptist Church in Sullivan, MO and to this union two children were born, Jason and Natalie.

After their wedding, Sharon and Gene moved to Grants, NM and then relocated to Newport News, VA when Gene was drafted into the United States Army. Upon his deployment to Vietnam, Sharon returned to Sullivan. When Gene came back, they moved to Waynesville, MO and then again to New Mexico before finally settling in Sullivan where they established their family home and raised their children.

Sharon worked as the office manager at her sister and brother-in-law’s business for the past 40 years, first at Meramec State Park in Sullivan and then at Blue Springs Ranch in Bourbon, MO. For several years, she and Gene also owned a screen-printing business in their home, and during tax season, she worked at D&E Accounting in Sullivan.

Family was Sharon’s greatest joy in life. She selflessly cared for her husband through his illness until his passing in 1992, while raising her children, working, and maintaining the family home. She was the first person to step up and help anyone in need, friend, family, or stranger, and would often show up before they even had an opportunity to ask. Once her grandchildren came along, they became the center of her world. She attended all of her grandsons’ events and activities and was “Grandma Sharon” to all of their friends. When her granddaughter was born, she visited Florida as often as possible to spend time with her and had just returned from her most recent trip right before her passing. Despite the hardships she faced, she stood by the adage that you could choose to be happy, or you could choose to be unhappy, and firmly believed if you put God first in your life, you could overcome anything, no matter how difficult or challenging.

Sharon loved to travel, and after her husband’s passing became an avid race fan spending the next two decades following the NASCAR circuit. While she often traveled with friends or family, she was not afraid to venture out on her own and took many solo trips. Florida was her favorite vacation spot, and she always stopped at Disney World when passing through. In 2019, she attended her first St. Louis Blues hockey game, and was immediately hooked. She went to as many games as possible and watched on TV those she couldn’t attend.    

Sharon is survived by her children, Jason Dixon and wife, Renee of Marathon, FL and Natalie Counts and husband, Kyle of Sullivan, MO; four grandchildren: Donovan & Spencer Counts of Sullivan, MO, Lydia Dixon of Marathon, FL, and Alexis Strauser of Sullivan, MO; her sister, Vicki Isom and husband J.R. of Bourbon, MO; nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Eugene “Gene” Dixon, and her parents, Courtleigh “Dean” and Minerva “Mike” Hollis.

A Celebration of Sharon’s life will take place from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Saturday, December 10, 2022 at the Eagles Small Hall in Sullivan with a Time of Remembrance to be held at 1:00 PM.

Memorial contributions may be given in Sharon’s memory to the Blues for Kids Foundation (nhl.com/blues/community/donate) and/or the Averi Budde Heart Foundation (facebook.com/averibuddefoundation).

Condolences may be shared online with Sharon’s family at www.eatonfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Eaton Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Sullivan.