Bertha Louise Schultz Dixon
March 24, 1919 - July 10, 2010

Darling-Mouser Funeral Home 945 Palm Boulevard Brownsville, TX 78520 Map to Funeral Home Darling-Mouser Funeral Home 945 Palm Blvd. Brownsville ,  TX 78520 7/18/2010 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Map to Funeral Home Memorial Service Central Christian Church 1100 E. Alton Gloor Brownsville ,  TX 78526 7/19/2010 at 10:00 a.m. Map to Funeral Home Graveside Service Buena Vista Burial Park 5 McDavitt Blvd. Brownsville ,  TX 78521 7/19/2010 at 1:00 p.m. Map to Funeral Home Buena Vista Burial Park 5 McDavitt Blvd. Brownsville, TX 78521 Map to Funeral Home Central Christian Church 1100 E. Alton Gloor Blvd. Brownsville, TX 78521 Du Bois-Hite Chapter NSDAR, c/o Stella Buchen, Treasurer 30838 FM 3069 Los Fresnos, TX 78566 Charity of donor's choice ,

Bertha Louise Schultz Dixon, born March 24, 1919 in Brownsville, Texas, entered into eternal rest into the loving arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on July 10, 2010, in Brownsville. Bertha was pre-deceased by her parents, Walter Anthony Schultz and Nellie Ortiz Schultz; her husband Robert Franklin “Bob” Dixon; and her brothers Walter Arthur Schultz and Jacob Gilbert Schultz.
Bertha is survived by her daughter Nancy Lee Dixon Johnston and spouse Lloyd Craig Johnston, granddaughter Vicki Lee Johnston Moser and spouse Ronald Dean Moser, and two great-grandchildren, Jennifer Lee Moser and Andrew Dean Moser, all of Brownsville. Other living family members include sisters Gloria Dompier of Markham, Illinois, and Marie Kinzie Marshall, of Austin, Texas; niece Helenlee Hearon and spouse Heard Hearon of Dallas, Texas; first cousin Emil Hartman and daughter Joan Hartman Handshu of Miami, Florida; and first cousin Lita Ortiz of Brownsville, Texas. Bertha is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews of the Dompier, Kinzie, Schultz, and Hearon families.
Bertha Dixon and her husband, Bob, who preceded her in death, were pioneers in tourism when they opened one of the first extended stay motels in Brownsville in 1949. After her husband’s death in 1985, Mrs. Dixon continued operating the motel until 1990 when the property was sold. In the 41 years of motel proprietorship, the Dixons felt their greatest reward of running the business was having all their guests, especially Winter Texans and friends from Mexico, refer to their establishment as “a home away from home.” Because of their generous hospitality, the men who were in Brownsville on work assignments for Union Carbide in the 1950s referred to them as “Mom and Pop.” Friendships were made that continued long after their guests could no longer travel.
When the Dixons added a pool with an extra large shallow end, the motel pool became a popular “swimming hole” that spanned three generations. Group celebrations in spring and summer included birthday parties, Boy and Girl Scout troop outings, and church and school group activities. In 1957 Margaret Clark began over thirty years of swimming lessons at the pool which opened the way for more youngsters to enjoy the family atmosphere of the business. The Dixon’s “no nonsense but loving touch” attitude was the rule of the day at the swimming hole. Over the years and even very recently, Mrs. Dixon was recognized and greeted in admiration by families who enjoyed her watchful eye and loving care.
Mrs. Dixon was active in many community activities. As a member of the Eta Beta Chapter of ESA Sorority, a philanthropic service organization, she was instrumental in acquiring one of the first small buses for B.I.S.D. students with disabilities. Working with H.E.B. and local citizens, she spearheaded the collection of thousands of Texas Gold stamps and spent many hours pasting them in hundreds of stamp books. As an Eta Beta member during the 1960s, she was an organizer of the entire Brownsville door-to-door Muscular Dystrophy campaign and a sponsor of various March of Dimes activities.
An active member of the West Brownsville Garden Club, Mrs. Dixon chaired many committees. Her passion for community beautification made serving on the Yard of the Month Committee to survey Brownville’s home landscapes a delight for her. Her love of nature was evident as she nurtured her many container-grown plants into blue ribbon winners at West Brownville Garden Club’s annual flower shows. Since the entrance to her home looked like a nursery, people would stop and ask to buy plants. Oftentimes the inquirers would be gifted with one of her beautiful plants. She also enjoyed fun times with her friends through birthday celebrations with the “Birthday Girls.” This was the only club association with no committee responsibilities or dues.
Mrs. Dixon showered her family with love and generosity. She instilled in each a Christian lifestyle and a work ethic of responsibility. Her life exemplified the axiom “if one door closes, another door opens.” This belief helped bring laughter to her family even in the midst of overwhelming odds.
Known as Memo by her granddaughter and great-grandchildren, her babysitting days were a highlight of her life. Jennifer and Andrew’s sleepover nights under a tent of chairs covered by blankets with pizza, popcorn, and Disney movies were treats of great anticipation. As the children grew older, special times were attending Jennifer’s dance recitals and Jennifer and Andrew’s choir and band concerts. Her granddaughter Vicki admired the warmth and laughter of Memo who encouraged her to work hard yet share her heart with those around her. Vicki’s first job of teaching swimming was encouraged by Memo’s family values and business skills. Vicki was blessed to enjoy Memo’s love within four generations twice in her lifetime.
Mrs. Dixon’s helping hands and love also surrounded her daughter and son-in-law. Nancy admired her mother’s business expertise and selfless attitude toward others. Her actions were always girded in words of encouragement in support of truth and kindness towards everyone. Overall, Mrs. Dixon was generous with her time and talent. She supported Nancy and Vicki’s civic organizations as well as her own so much so that she became an ex-officio member of all of them.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 18, 2010 from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Darling Mouser Funeral Home, 945 Palm Boulevard, Brownsville, Texas. A memorial service will be held on Monday, July 19, 2010 at 10:00 A.M. at Central Christian Church, 1100 E. Alton Gloor Boulevard. A graveside service will follow at 1:00 P.M. at Buena Vista Funeral Park, 5 McDavitt Boulevard. Serving as pallbearers are Dick Dorris, Kyle Hearon, John Kinzie, Billy Smith, Dean Moser, and David Wamsley. Honorary pallbearers are Heard Hearon, Mark Hearon, Dr. Lee Dale Jones, and Leonard Loop.
A longtime member of Central Christian Church, Bertha Dixon loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Memorial donations may be made to Central Christian Church, 1100 E. Alton Gloor Boulevard, Brownsville, Texas, 78521; Du Bois-Hite Chapter, NSDAR, c/o Stella Buchen, Treasurer, 30838 FM 3069, Los Fresnos, Texas, 78566-4690; or any charity of the donor’s choice.