Dixie Delores Kelley

Dixie Delores Kelley, 95, a lifelong resident of Fort Myers, FL, passed away on Sunday, January 19, 2025 in Fort Myers, FL. She was born in Lee County, FL on November 17, 1929 to Harry and Esther Peterson.

Dixie remained unnamed for 10 days while her parents finalized her full baptismal name. Her birth announcement simply read “Welcome A Cracker Girl”, with “curly eyes and laughing hair”! She was officially named Dixie Delores Peterson and many family members still like to call her Delores even though she preferred Dixie.

She is survived by two loving children, Kent Kelley of Fort Myers, and Piper Hunt (Michael) of North Fort Myers; one sister, Barbara Knowles (Don) of St. Petersburg, FL; four grandchildren, Aubrey Kelley, Nigel Kelley, Darby Bethuy (Cory), and Ethan Kelley; as well as three great-grandchildren, Kaleb Kelley, Ronan and Regan Bethuy (who affectionately called her G.G.) as well as many Nieces, Nephews and Cousins.

Dixie was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 55 years, Arthur Kelley, Jr.; both her parents Harry and Esther Peterson; her siblings Dick Peterson and Virginia “Dinny” England; as well as her son, Drew Kelley; and Daughter in Law Claudine Cody (Kent Kelley).

Dixie was a woman of deep faith, who found joy and purpose in contributing to her fellowship over the years. She remained an integral part of the churches she belonged to during her life. She played and taught piano, sang in the choir and taught many Sunday school classes. During her early adulthood she attended Bayshore Community Chapel, and after moving to South Fort Myers in the late 1970’s, she attended Parkway Baptist Church (Briarcliff Baptist Church). She remained an active member of Parkway Baptist Church the rest of her life. Her pastor visited her several times during her last days, during which he prayed with her and reminded her of the legacy she was leaving behind for all.

She was a dedicated and hardworking woman, having worked nearly 75 years of her long life. She began work at a very young age at her parent’s General Store in North Fort Myers. During high school she moved back to Rockford Illinois to the family farm. During the war she delivered papers for the Evening Star Newspaper as well as made airplane clamps as a “Rosie the Riveter”, before moving onto a retail position at Penney’s Department Store.

During her senior year of High School, Dixie and her family moved back to Fort Myers, FL. After graduating she began working at Darwin White Insurance. Within a few months of employment, she was fully plunged into the world of selling homeowners insurance, especially after the town was affected by a Hurricane in 1947. She stayed there for 4 years, until she met her husband Arthur Kelley Jr. They were engaged and later married on January 7th, 1950. After they married, she learned the art of floristry so she could work at the floral shop owned by Arthur’s mom Isabelle (Hendry) Kelley. It was downtown on the bottom floor of Isabelle’s boarding house. She also kept the books for her father in-law’s nursery business during that time. At the age of 40, she took a job with USDA doing agricultural loans and continued to do so for the next 10-12 years.

In the 1970’s she began her final job, helping to run the other family-owned business, AW Kelley’s Gardens, Inc. She really enjoyed her time answering each phone call while helping each person who came in the office while she greeted them from the front desk. Being able to work closely with her family and stay in touch with all of the multi-generational customers that were like family to her for over 30 years was the reason she chose not to retire until she was the young age of 81 years old.

Dixie’s love for Southern cooking was legendary within the family. Every meal she prepared was a labor of love, from black-eyed peas, swamp cabbage, butter beans, squash casserole, collard greens, Venison, Quail with gravy and rice and Swedish meatballs at Christmas time to sweet desserts, pies and jelly. She embraced the traditions of the South all while carrying the quiet, yet sassy, determination and resilience of her Swedish roots.

Dixie found an abundance of happiness in providing for others with unwavering kindness and generosity. She enjoyed gardening and picking fresh bouquets of flowers to share with others along with a homemade jar of her famous guava jelly. Anyone who came to her home always left with something good to eat and a feeling of appreciation.

After a long, blessed life filled with many adventures like camping with family at Fish Eating Creek, humid Summers in the Florida Keys lobstering and fishing, most crisps Fall days spent in the woods at the hunting camp, frequent trips to Colorado, Georgia, North Carolina and much more. Dixie peacefully took her last breaths while at her son Kent’s home surrounded by family. In her last moments, before being welcomed into Jesus’s arms, she made sure to reminisce about all the things that brought her joy in life including a beautiful “Cracker” house with a wraparound porch she was envisioning.

So, in honor of one of her last memories in life her family will be holding a Celebration of Life at:

The Heitman House 2577 First St. Fort Myers, FL 33901 on Sunday, March 9th, 2025 from 2pm to 6pm.

While our hearts are heavy, lets lift others up with stories, laughter and memories of Dixie. Her spirit lives on in each of us, and together, we’ll keep her memory shining bright!!

All are welcome, and the family is asking for those who plan on attending to please respond via the link below so an estimated number of attendances on the day can be made. There is plenty of space, but due to the venue providing ONLY Valet parking, the staff needs to be able to accommodate all effectively and efficiently.

Please Fill out this Attendance Form:

https://forms.gle/RVmfe1K3Ld851oMe7

~Memorial Contributions in Memory of Dixie Kelley are suggested to be made to:

Parkway Baptist Church

Online: https://parkwaybaptistchurchftmyers.com/donations/tithes-offerings/:

By Mail: Parkway Baptist Church

  6211 Briarcliff Rd.

  Fort Myers, FL 33912

F.A. Hendry Scholarship

Florida Southwestern State College

Online: https://foundation.fsw.edu/fa-hendry-scholarship/

by Mail: FSW Foundation c/o F.A Hendry scholarship

 8099 College Parkway

 Fort Myers, FL 33913

Friends and Family are invited to send condolences and share memories via the on-line guest book which can be found at www.MullinsMemorial.com.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, has been entrusted with final care.