Dixie L. Johnson, 92 of Macomb, Illinois, formerly of rural Stronghurst, died at 2:23 p.m. Saturday May 11, 2013 at Wesley Village in Macomb. She was born August 18, 1920 in Damascus, Virginia, the daughter of Oscar and Marie Wright Gray. On June 5, 1943, she married Elmer W. Johnson in Stronghurst. He preceded her in death on July 5, 1979.

Dixie moved to Illinois, with her family, at the age of eight and attended Warren County schools. She spent many years farming with her husband near Stronghurst. Following his death, she moved to Georgetown in Macomb, where she enjoyed spending time with a group of neighborhood friends nicknamed The Dixie Chicks. She was a member of the Bethel Lutheran Church of Stronghurst.

Survivors include two sisters-in-law, Ruby Johnson of Monmouth, and Betty Gray of Davenport, IA., several nieces and nephews, including Mike Gray, Barbara Gray, Joanne Cravero, Larry Johnson, Charles Headley, Royce Headley, Marjorie Butler, Leon Johnson, Ronnie Johnson, Elaine Wilson and Marsha Bagley. She was preceded in death by her husband, one brother, Tom Gray and one sister, Betty Keister.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday May 16, 2013 in the Bethel Lutheran Church in Stronghurst with Rev. Terry Muller officiating. Burial will be in the Terre Haute Cemetery, Terre Haute, Illinois. No visitation is planned. A memorial fund has been established for the Bethel Lutheran Church. Banks & Beals Funeral Home of Stronghurst is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left at banksandbeals.com