Dixie Mays, age 78, passed away Saturday morning, May 2, 2026 at her home in the Deanburg Community of Chester County.

She was born in Anna, IL on March 14, 1948, daughter of the late William H. and Virginia Lee Wilson Phillips. She grew up in Memphis and was a 1966 graduate of Trezevant High School.

She married Michael Mays on March 6, 1967. Mr. Mays joined the Army and served in Vietnam. While he was in the army, Dixie worked as a bank teller in Memphis. She later attended Memphis State University and earned a Bachelor Degree in Nursing and began working at Baptist Hospital downtown. She later worked for St. Francis Hospital in Memphis for a time. In 1981, she and Michael moved back to the family farm in the Deanburg. She then began working at Jackson Madison County General Hospital for a time before returning to work in Memphis at The Med. In the mid 1990's she began working for Trinity Healthcare and went back to school and earned her Masters degree. She retired at age 66 and was working for United Healthcare at the time. Mr. Mays preceded her in death on March 26, 2020.

Dixie was a member of the Deanburg Baptist Church. She enjoyed reading and watching her sons drag race. She also enjoyed annual trips to Florida to visit her family.

While caring for others was a passion, her greatest love was her family and especially spending time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her two sons, Billy Mays (Traci) and Kenny Mays (Sharon) both of Deanburg; four grandchildren Phillip Mays (Sarah), Tiffany Hester (David), Madison Haynes (Jacob) and Ashley Brewer; eight great grandchildren and a host of friends.

In addition to her parents and husband Michael, she was preceded in death by a brother, Michael Phillips.

Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at Shackelford Funeral Directors - Crook Avenue Chapel with burial to follow at Pleasant Springs Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Crook Avenue Chapel on Wednesday, May 6, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.