Dixie Lee Nelson

Dixie Lee Nelson (McKinley), 79, passed away on June 13, 2020 while gardening, something she loved. Dixie was born September 16, 1941, to Cecil and Dorothy Hedges McKinley. She lived mainly in Belton, Missouri and attended high school there. She married Selby Nelson December 5, 1959. They adopted their daughter, Sonya Leigh Pilley (Nelson) in 1971.

Dixie loved children and it showed in the activities she gave her time to. She was a Camp Fire leader, an organizer at the dance studio her daughter Sonya attended, the PTA, and Youth for Understanding (YFU). She worked in two elementary schools, Oak Hill and Prairie Star as an administrative assistant. She was loved by many kids and she had a soft spot for mentally handicapped children. Dixie and Selby also hosted four exchange students; Jackie de Souza from Uruguay, Ann-Christine Palin from Finland, Ryoko Koiwa, and Mikio Yamamoto, both from Japan.

Dixie loved to travel, and did so extensively. She had been to most of the US states, much of Europe, and Japan. She was always ready to go on a trip.

Dixie was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Selby Nelson, her parents, Cecil and Dorothy McKinley, and her bother Allan McKinley. Survivors are her brother Phillip and his wife Angie McKinley of Florida, her daughter, Sonya Pilley, son-in-law Seth Pilley, and three grandchildren Samuel Pilley, Katherine Pilley, and Sophia Pilley.

A celebration of her life is planned for July 11th at Belton Memorial Park from 10:00am - 1:00pm. This of course will depend on the status of Covid-19 and the limitations placed on gatherings. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution in Dixie's name to www.parkinson.org.