October 11, 1940 – February 4, 2024
Dixie Gaynelle Watts was called home on February 4, 2024. She was born on October 11, 1940, in Kokomo, Ind.
Dixie’s parents Earle and Doris and her two sisters Pat and Vicky proceeded her in death. Dixie graduated from Kokomo High School in the class of 1958. During her senior year she began training as a dental assistant with Dr. Mapes DDS. After graduation she continued working as a dental assistant and would return to the field throughout her life.
During this time, she met her future husband and the love of her life, Verne Watts. They knew straight away that they would spend the rest of their lives together. The two were married in Kokomo on August 27, 1960. The newlyweds then moved to California to begin their young adventure. A couple of years later, they decided to return to Indiana where they bought their first home and started their family. They had two sons, Verne “Kip” Watts and Cary Watts. In 1972 they moved to Carmel, and it would be here that she would call home for the next 50+ years. In the early 1980s, Dixie began a career for a large insurance company, where she managed the brokerage department. Dixie worked in insurance until she retired in 1995.
Dixie and Verne were active members of the Carmel Friends Church. She stressed the importance of faith and family for her boys. Dixie was a woman of unwavering faith and integrity. These are values she exemplified.
She leaves behind her devoted husband Verne of 63 years and their two sons, Verne “Kip” (Jill) Watts and Cary (Amy) Watts. She was a loving grandmother to Lyndsay (Sam) Krauter, Madelynn (Joe) Freije, Corey Watts, and Landon Watts. Dixie was a proud great-grandmother to Max, Jude, Sadie, Mae, and Lyla. She also leaves behind her three brothers, Dr. Jerald (Mary) Johnson, James (Joyce) Johnson, and Randall (Sherry) Denison.
Dixie and Verne shared many passions, including their love of travel and antiquing. Some of their memorable journeys were cruising the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, the Mexican Rivera, and Europe. One of her fondest memories were her annual trips to Branson with her parents, Doris and Earle.
Dixie’s family will always remember the trips to Brown County, Southwest Michigan, and their family cabin on Prince’s Lake, Ind. She cherished holidays with her family. Thanksgivings and Christmases were especially meaningful to her.
Visitation for Dixie will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday February 17, 2024, at Carmel Friends Church, 651 W. Main St., Carmel, where family and friends are invited to gather. Her funeral will follow at 1 p.m. Pastor Ben Snyder will be officiating Dixie’s services. Burial will follow her service at Carmel Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donation may be made to the Quaker Haven Camp (paypal.com/US/fundraiser/charity/1621110).
Everyone is invited to sign the online guestbook, leave a condolence, or share a memory at fisherfunerals.com. Fisher Family Funeral Services is honored to the Watts Family.