Nancy Lee Dixon Johnston

BROWNSVILLE, TX. - Nancy Lee Dixon Johnston, age 84, of Brownsville, Texas, passed into her eternal rest in the loving arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 18, 2022, in Brownsville.

Nancy was predeceased by her parents Robert Franklin (Bob) Dixon and Bertha Louise Schultz Dixon; her grandmother Nellie Anastasia Ortiz Schultz; uncles J. Gilbert Schultz and Walter A. Schultz; and aunt Gloria Dompier, all of Brownsville. Nancy's maternal first cousins Betty Lou Fulton and John Earl Kinzie; paternal first cousin Helenlee Hearon; and maternal second cousin Emil Hartman also preceded her in death.

Lloyd Craig Johnston, Nancy's spouse of 63 years, survives her. Also surviving Nancy are her daughter Vicki Lee Johnston Moser and spouse Ronald Dean Moser, and two grandchildren, Jennifer Lee Moser and Andrew Dean Moser, all of Brownsville. Other living family members are Nancy's aunt Marie Marshall; maternal first cousins Laura Ann Marsalis, Cynthia Ann Smith, Kenneth Dompier, Linda Thusing, Sandy Wise, and Billie Tohill. Other maternal first cousins are Walter Schultz, Carol Ann Chapman, Gladys Jean Lodrigue, and Elizabeth Ann Harris. Paternal second cousins are Mark Hearon and Kyle Hearon. Nancy made consistent efforts to stay in touch with the many members of her family tree by hosting reunions of the Nellie "Grammy" Schultz family, providing lodging for family visits, and making numerous Saturday phone calls.

Nancy devoted over 60 years of her life as a Texas hospitality entrepreneur, welcoming Winter Texans to the fun and sun of the Magic Valley and Mexico. She first assisted her parents at the Dixon Motel and Pool, and later opened her own venture with Lloyd by establishing the Stagecoach Motel and RV Park in 1969. She and Lloyd acted upon their outdoor vacation interest to provide a unique vacation venue in a relaxed Western setting. Guest activities featured holiday potlucks, annual wild game dinner, gulf-caught fish fries, Texas venison chili roundups, and homemade vegetable beef soup suppers. A weekly coffee and biscuits breakfast featured a community calendar review to encourage participation in local events. Nancy also gave Spanish lessons and organized shopping and lunch trips to Progresso, Tamaulipas as additional learning and entertainment. One of Nancy's favorite accomplishments was publishing an in-house cookbook which featured potluck recipes of her Winter Texans as well as her own family favorites. She greatly enjoyed hosting all her visitors from Canada, the U.S., and Mexico, both in her own mobile home apartments and through mobile home and RV site rentals.

Outside of Nancy's tourism business, she volunteered in several charitable, civic, and community organizations. These included Eta Beta Chapter, Epsilon Sigma Alpha Sorority; Freedom's Daughters Chapter, and later, Capt. Thomas Jefferson Chapter, Colonial Dames XVII Century; DuBois-Hite Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution; and Fort Brown Chapter, and later, member-at-large, Daughters of the Republic of Texas. For 30 years, she served the Learners Club as an officer and member. Also, first with her mother and later her daughter, she volunteered and held leadership roles for over 50 years in the West Brownsville Garden Club. These organizations fed her desire to promote philanthropy, Texas and American history, community beautification, and educational opportunities for youth through essay, poetry, poster, and scholarship contests. A side benefit of the club relationships that Nancy enjoyed was the informal group of friends known as The Birthday Club, which had no dues, but featured a monthly birthday cake and luncheon along with plant gifts for the current birthday honoree.

Nancy always took pleasure in seeing her family pursue and enjoy their interests. She valued productive endeavors which led to her own achievements of playing the saxophone, earning the position of Drum Majorette for the Golden Eagle Marching Band, and graduating as Valedictorian of the Brownsville High School Class of 1956. Nancy had further accomplishments as a wife, mother, and grandmother through her own hobbies, including native plant and cactus container gardening; miniature floral arranging; beach-lounging with magazines; solving book and movie mysteries; working crossword puzzles in ink; making photo and newspaper scrapbooks; and penning personal notes in holiday, birthday, and anniversary cards.

She supported Lloyd's love of camping, fishing, and hunting, which they introduced to Vicki during their summer trips to state parks and private campgrounds, in addition to weekend trips to the beach and deer lease. She encouraged Vicki's artistic exploration of dance, piano, theater, and both solo and choral performance, beginning in elementary school, and continuing through college. She inspired Vicki to seek academic excellence in primary, secondary, graduate, and post-graduate studies.

Nancy, also called "Grammy" by her grandchildren, nurtured Jennifer's, and Andrew's creative and academic endeavors. She never missed a dance recital, Tae Kwan Do skills display, piano recital, choir or band concert, history or science fair exhibition, trombone recital, or graduation, even if these events occurred on the same day. She and Lloyd assisted Vicki in hosting, designing, and implementing thematic birthday parties for the grandchildren throughout their younger years. She displayed their handmade cards and artwork as refrigerator door collages or in keepsake albums. Planning family birthday and holiday celebrations complete with decorations and food, even when not on the exact date, brought Nancy much satisfaction and joy.

Nancy trusted in the sovereignty of God and the opportunity for all who hear His voice to accept His gift of salvation through grace. She prayed fervently for families and nations to live in awe of God's holiness and truth. Nancy believed that Christian precepts are the foundation of a strong family unit and God-fearing nation. She was a lifelong member of Central Christian Church, Brownsville, where she faithfully served her Lord and Savior in fellowship with her brothers and sisters in Christ. Nancy loved the hymns that tell the "old, old, story ... of Jesus and His Love!"

Nancy's family thanks Karen Stowe, Bertha Arriaga, Hortencia Torres, and the Central Christian Church family for their love and support. The family also recognizes the compassion and excellent care given by Dr. Kalim Habet and Dr. Ahmad Karkoutly of The Heart Institute of Brownsville, as well as by the healthcare providers, support staff, and chaplains at Valley Baptist Medical Center and Solara Specialty Hospital in Brownsville.

Private graveside services were held Friday, March 4, 2022, at 11:00 A.M. at Buena Vista Funeral Park with Pastor Lance Hostetter, Central Christian Church, officiating. David Abrego, Grady Deaton, Armando Hernandez, David Hughston, Jerry Sires, and Beto Trevino served as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were Paul Hemphill, Andrew Moser, Dean Moser, and Mike Stowe.

Nancy's family welcomes your participation in her Celebration of Life Service on Saturday, March 12, 2022, at 1:00 P.M. at Central Christian Church, 1100 E. Alton Gloor Blvd., Brownsville, Texas, 78526. Memorial gifts may be made to the Central Christian Church Missions Fund or to a charity of one's choice.

Memories of Nancy may be shared at www.darlingmouser.com.

Personalized funeral arrangements directed by Loraine G. Knoch and Staff have been entrusted to Darling-Mouser Funeral Home at 945 Palm Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas 78520 (956) 546-7111.