In loving memory of
Vera “Dixie” Herren Holtzclaw

• April 13, 1918
• -
• July 18, 2022

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Mrs. Vera (Dixie) Herren Holtzclaw of Fort Myers Beach, Florida, and Jonesboro, Georgia, peacefully left this world to be with her Heavenly Father on 7/18/2022, from her home on Fort Myers Beach, at the young age of 104. She will be greatly missed by many, and affectionately remembered as a loving Mother, Grandmother, Great-grandmother, Cousin, Aunt, and Friend. Her Life will be Celebrated by Family and Friends in both locations at some time in the future, yet to be determined.

Dixie is predeceased by her husband, Aldredge, her parents, George and Sadie Burton Herren, her brothers, Owen and William, and her sisters, Dora Carter, Ruth Ann Woodard, and Polly Martin. Sadly, she is also predeceased by her son, Michael, and daughters, Bonnie, and Sonja. Ms. Dixie is survived by three sons, Gary, Dean, and Roger, and daughter, Rhonda, and too numerous to name, but dearly-beloved, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.
Dixie was born and raised on a farm outside Doyline, Louisiana, on April 13, 1918. On the farm, she learned many things about the animals, the plants, Mother Nature, and God the Father.

Dixie was given her nickname at a very young age by one of her Uncles. It stuck, and she was called Dixie ever since, until she officially became “Ms. Dixie”.

Dixie graduated from Doyline High School in 1935, where she enjoyed learning and playing girls’ basketball. Dixie was the last of her generation, as her 3 sisters and 2 brothers all passed years before. Having lost their Mother at a very young age, she was raised by her Father, George Herren, and Grandparents. She particularly enjoyed the tutelage of her Grandfather, the Rev. Owen G. Herren, and loved to sit with him and read, or follow him around gathering eggs from the chickens.

Following business school, Dixie worked for a lawyer in Minden, LA, and a bank in Shreveport, LA, before meeting Al Holtzclaw. She said it was “Love at first sight” for both of them when she saw the handsome young soldier from Barksdale Air Force Base in the drug store soda fountain in Doyline. They were married for 25 years, with seven children, prior to his sudden death at the age of 50 in College Park, Georgia. Al had 25 years of service with the FAA.

For many years, Al and Dixie were members of the Second Baptist Church of College Park, where Al served as a Deacon. Always a caregiver, she took care of the babies and toddlers in the church nursey, both as a Volunteer, and later in life, as an employee of the Church School. They all loved Ms. Dixie.

Ms. Dixie had many friends in Fort Myers, where she enjoyed the sunshine, flowers and birds, reading and music. She especially loved seeing the many live musicians around Fort Myers Beach, as well as singing in the Choir at Cypress Cove. Ms. Dixie loved everyone, and everyone loved her. Her beautiful smile was visible from across the room, and everyone felt the love she radiated. Total strangers gravitated to her – children and adults alike.

Ms. Dixie will be missed by all who knew her. She didn’t care about things, only the people in her life. Her favorite passage began: “The Lord is my Shepard; I shall not want..”
In lieu of flowers, please remember Ms. Dixie by sharing your love and what you have with those around you, and enjoy the time you have together. And smile…