Dixie M. Perez, age 85, of Centralia, IL, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 25th, 2024 in her home.
Dixie was born on Wednesday, December 28th, 1938, to the late Oley and Hattie (Donoho) Hilton. She married Frank Perez, Jr. on July 20, 1958 at the First Apostolic Church in Centralia. He preceded her in death on February 3, 1999, after 40 years of marriage.
Dixie was a loving mother to her two daughters, Julia (Perez) Kang of O’Fallon, IL, and Kelly Perez-Smith, and husband Joseph B. Smith, III of Centralia. She was a devoted grandmother to Laura Ashley (Mullinax) Gibbs and husband Wade of Fairview Heights, IL, Rachel (Kang) Mosely and husband Darius of O’Fallon, IL, Joseph B. Smith, IV and wife Stacie of Hoffman, IL, Nicholas A. Smith and wife Megan of Centralia. Great-grandchildren Matthew Gibbs, Riley Gibbs, Jayden Mosely, Caleb Mosely, Layla Mosely, Alena Smith, Colton Smith, Haley Smith, Aiden Smith, and Jace Smith. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Marnen Perez, and wife Rosemary, as well as several nieces and nephews with a special niece Donna (Beadle) Castang, and husband Wesley who helped take care of Dixie in her later years.
She was preceded in death by her parents Oley and Hattie Hilton, husband Frank Perez Jr., father, and mother-in-law Frank Perez, Sr. and wife Bert Perez, sister-in-law Ponch (Dolly) Perez, son-in-law Joseph Kang, her brother and sisters Ray Hilton and wife Ruby, Faye Smith and husband Adra, Pearl Sharp and husband Jim, and Julie Beadle, and a nephew Jeffrey Beadle.
Dixie worked as an LPN for Warren G. Murray Developmental Center. She had a passion for crafts, crocheting, painting, and creating beautiful wedding cakes in her younger years. Dixie was also an avid card club enthusiast. She had a strong faith and was a member of the First Apostolic Church in Centralia. She will be dearly missed by those who knew her.
Funeral Services for Dixie Perez will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024 at 2:00pm at the First Apostolic Church in Centralia with Pastor Jonathan Urshan officiating. Entombment will follow at the Lakeside Chapel in Hillcrest Memorial Park. Visitation will be held prior to the service at the church on Friday, May 3, 2024 from 1:00pm till 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Apostolic Church in Centralia and will be accepted by the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 N. Sycamore Street, Centralia, IL 62801 (618)532-3523, who is honored to be of service to the family. Online condolences can be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com.
