Dixie Odell Littleton Deane

Dixie Odell Littleton Deane, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away December 8, 2023 in Harlingen, Texas, at age 96.  She was born October 3, 1927, in San Antonio, Texas to Audie C. and Lena Mae Rainwater Littleton, and lived in Texas all her life.

She spent her childhood in Hearne and then her family moved to Hico in 1942 where she graduated from high school at age 16 and was proud to have read all the books in the Hico High School library.  Her love of history (especially Texas history) and books remained for her entire 96 years, up until the last few weeks of her life, and has been passed down to the next three generations.

Her family later moved to Harlingen where her father worked as a machinist for the Rio Grande Oil Mill and she became a bookkeeper for GMAC.  While working there, she met Herman Terrell Deane and at age 20 they were married at First Baptist Church Harlingen and their love story continued until his death in 2021.  Later in life that bookkeeping experience came in handy when Herman at age 58 started his own commercial roofing company, Rio Roofing, Inc.  She would keep his books and type his letters at the kitchen table.

They shared many family adventures and lovely vacations together but loved camping and spending time on South Padre Island the best.  Her faith and devotion to Christ was an important part of her life and she taught Sunday School and Bible School for many years.  She was known for her sense of humor and inner joyfulness, always uplifting others.  Throughout her life she created many beautiful embroidery and needlepoint pieces and cross stitch samplers and enjoyed bird watching in her later years.

She was a wonderful mother and with her imagination and creativity, her children had the most magical and happiest of childhoods.  She was actively involved in all of their activities, from serving as Cub Scout Den Mother for her sons to ballet recitals for her daughter, and yet still found time to have a delicious home cooked meal including dessert on the table for her family (or any hungry neighborhood kid!) every night.  Her southern fried chicken and pecan pies were legendary.

She was beautiful inside and out (always stylish) and remained the epitome of a Southern Lady to the end.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 73 years, Herman Terrell Deane.

Left to treasure her memory are her sons, Bill Deane (Anita) and Bob Deane; her daughter Barbara Gonzalez (Thomas); her grandchildren Jeffrey Deane, Jacob Deane, Leah Deane (Tami), Rick Deane, Meagan Noble (Kevin), Molly Hichens (Hedley), and Melissa Wahrmund; her great grandchildren, Ada Magid, Hazel Deane-Malone, Ellis Deane- Malone, Everett Noble, Sawyer Noble, Julia Noble, Austin Hichens, Avery Hichens, Quinn Hichens, and Peighton Wahrmund.

Proverbs 31:10 “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.

Mom, you were deeply loved and will be dearly missed.

The family would like to thank Yvette Cano Adams with Treasure Hills Residential Care Homes for her loving care in the last days of her life as well as Janice Silva and Maluhia Hospice Care.

The Deane family will receive friends and relatives on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home.  A graveside service and interment will take place Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Mont Meta Memorial Park.  Rev. Chris Hall will officiate.

Floral tributes are welcomed or donations to your favorite charity are also appreciated.