Dixie Thomas Vanderwerff Brantley

Dixie Thomas Vanderwerff Brantley died peacefully on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 in her home in Greensboro, NC. Dixie was born in Winston-Salem, NC on January 18, 1946 to the late William Forrester Thomas and Doris Austin Thomas.

Dixie attended Reynolds High school where she was a cheerleader and graduated from St. Mary’s College and UNC-Chapel Hill with a Masters in Education. A true leader since early in life, she was her senior class president at Saint Mary’s. She taught elementary school in Chapel Hill as a reading specialist.

Dixie was a light in the world. She touched the lives of every person she met. Whether it was a five minute interaction or a fifty year friendship, without a doubt she made an impact on you. It was impossible to leave a conversation with her without feeling like a better version of yourself. One of her greatest gifts was seeing the good in everyone, and she never hesitated to share exactly what amazing qualities she saw in you. Her generosity and kindness knew no bounds. She had a way of captivating any room she walked into with her talents as an entertainer, a conversationalist, and a storyteller. She saw the beauty in everyone and everything, and for that reason the world was a more beautiful place with her in it. Her green thumb and skills in decorating also made every room she touched more physically beautiful, especially with her roses. The number of lives she touched is innumerous, and reaches over every area of her life. Her passions were inspiring to those around her, including her status as a Life Master Bridge player, avid Tarheel Basketball fan, and talented golfer. One of her true joys was her Wednesday bridge group. She was intelligent in every way, but especially in bridge and won many tournaments. There is not a song on Earth she did not know the words to, and she never hesitated to sing and dance no matter where she was. She truly was the life of the party. In addition to her numerous hobbies, she loved spending her time between Greensboro, Debordieu and Blowing Rock.

Dixie was most proud of her family and grandchildren. Not a day went by when they were not reminded of her love for them. Her grandchildren worshipped her and loved being with her. She has the biggest heart of anyone they have ever met, and they knew she would do anything for them. Known to them as Boots, they all looked forward to spending time with her and her unmatched sense of humor. Smart as a whip, Boots could craft a witty remark in any situation. Family was her top priority, and even on their worst days, Dixie had a way of making them feel like the most special people in the world. She encouraged her family to follow their passions, and she did everything imaginable to be the wind beneath your sails. In everything she did she led with love, and she was the most fun person in the world to be around.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother Gordon Wayne Thomas, and husband Peter Michael Vanderwerff. She is survived by her husband Joe Brantley; daughters Alice (Ron) Givens and Sarah (Keith) Kaplan and her grandchildren Alice Austin Givens, Sarah Walker Marian Givens, Alice Fortune Kaplan, and Anne Byrd Kaplan; her sister Ramona Thomas Presson and brother Ronald Forrester Thomas and wife Tamra; stepdaughters Rebecca Brantley Hancock (HH) and Leigh Brantley Wheeler (Oliver) and her mother-in-law Juanelle Brantley.

Donations can be made to Susan G. Komen’s Breast Cancer Education and Awareness

Memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com.