Dixie Rowray

Dixie Rowray, 97, of Norman passed away peacefully in her sleep Saturday, February 24, 2024.

She was born August 5, 1926 in Albert Lea, Minnesota to Ernest Clubb and Abbie Gordy.

Dixie grew up in Blackduck, Minnesota attending public school there where she enjoyed reading and studying Latin and English Literature. She worked on the school paper which was a passion in her life at the time. She attended college at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul Minnesota.

On March 22, 1946, Dixie married Jacques Dean Rowray in Sacramento, California. She continued with newspaper work at the Sacramento Bee Newspaper. She was a copy girl who had hopes of becoming their ace reporter. During this time, Dixie was also desperate to find the true religion. In the early 1950’s she had prayed to God to find the truth about him, and if she found the truth she would do whatever was required of her. Three weeks later, Jehovah’s Witnesses called on her in Provo, Utah. In 1953 she was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Minnesota.

Dixie and Jacques had 6 children and enjoyed traveling as a family.  After Jack’s death in 1986, Dixie moved to Guatemala to further her passion in serving her God, Jehovah. She very much enjoyed the people of San Lucas Atitlan in Guatemala and made many lasting friendships with others who also had that same passion.

In the early 1990’s Dixie moved to Norman, Oklahoma where she devoted the rest of her life to sharing the Bible and its message to everyone she met. She would often say of her life as it was said by Job at Job 42:17, “Finally Job died, after a long and satisfying life”.  It was true of Dixie as she, like Job, led a long and satisfying life.

Dixie Rowray was preceded in death by her parents:  Ernest Clubb and Abbie G. Gordy, her siblings Gordon, MaryLou, Grace, Ernie and Bruce, her husband, Jacques Dean Rowray and her son, Jeffrey Rowray.  Dixie is survived by her children: Jady Rowray, his wife Mary, Jeffrey’s wife Ellie, Jerry Rowray, Mary Rowray, Jon Rowray, his wife Patti, and Becky, her husband Mark Hollingshead; grandchildren: James Rowray, Jesse Rowray, Melody Carpenter, Josh & Shannon Rowray, Jennifer & Nick Shao, Leah & Zac Costello, Taylor Rowray, Amber & Brad Garling, Geraldine Rowray, Tommy Loffer, Christopher & Naomi Hollingshead and Ashley & Philip Hollingsworth; great-grandchildren: Kelsey Rowray, Cole Rowray, Jackson Rowray, Jaylon Henry, Jayce Henry, James Garling, Scarlett Garling, Dallas Costello, Kelly Costello and Danni Lynn Costello. Her nieces and nephews, and all those that called her ‘Grandma Dixie’.

In lieu of flowers, Dixie would have loved for donations to be sent to her favorite organization, www.jw.org