Dixie Hamer Kirkman

Dixie Hamer Kirkman, daughter of Nancy Campbell Hamer Charles and Theodore (Ted) Hamer was born December 12, 1928, in Mountain View, Missouri. She passed away on August 31, 2017, in Springfield, Missouri, making her age at passing 88 years, eight months, and 19 days. Dixie was united in marriage to Vernon Junior Kirkman on July 17, 1950, and to this union two children were born: Randy and Carol. She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Vernon Junior Kirkman, her parents, her step-brother Thell Charles, and many friends.

Dixie graduated from Mountain View High School, and attended Missouri State University for a time. She was employed as a secretary in Springfield for the Veterans Administration and later at the Mountain View High School. She moved to Summersville to work at the Summersville State Bank, as secretary to Lee Bell. She met Junior at the Bank, and they were married in 1950.

Dixie and Junior joined the First Baptist Church and were faithful members for decades. She taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible school until age forced her to take a quieter role. She loved hymns. Beulah Land and Amazing Grace were favorites. She read her Bible daily until she could no longer do so. She was an avid reader and gardener, and spent many hours in her yard, enjoying the flowers.

She leaves to mourn her passing her son Randy Kirkman and his wife Linda of Summersville, her daughter Carol and husband Terry Carr of Springfield, and one sister, Theora Freeman and husband Bill of Maxwell, Nebraska. She was blessed with two special grandsons and their families: Jon and Rebecca Kirkman and their two daughters, Karen and Kassi, and Scott and Randie Kirkman and their three sons, Jace, Kaden and West.

She was a kind and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, who enjoyed time with her family. She never spoke harshly of anyone, living a Christian life until the moment of her passing. She will be remembered for her sweet nature, her kindness, and the unconditional love she had for her family. We will miss her.