Dixie Ashburn Bean, 84, passed peacefully on Wednesday, March 10, 2010. Services will be held Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Sherman. Dr. Jim Pledger and Dr. Thomas Peel will officiate. Visitation will held at Waldo Funeral Home on Friday evening, March 12 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Dixie was born on September 29, 1925 in Sherman, Texas at the Ashburn Farm. She graduated from Sherman High School in 1943 where she was a drum majorette, member of the pep squad, and was voted Most Beautiful Girl for two years running. In 1948 she met the love of her life, Harry King Bean, and they shared their life together for 60 years. Dixie left Sherman in 1955 to pursue Harry's successful career and returned in 1975 to be with her family and lifelong friends. While serving with her husband as a volunteer with the International Executive Service Corp she traveled to El Salvador, Panama, and Malaysia.

Dixie was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Sherman. She was active in her local bridge club and enjoyed a lifetime of friends and fellowship with her Garland Sewing Club. Best known for her love of cooking and feeding her large circle of family and friends; she spread love with her warm hospitality and delicious Southern Cuisine.

Dixie is survived by Harry Ashburn Bean, Michael Paul Bean and his wife Cindy, and Barbara Bean McElroy and her husband Patrick of Decatur, Illinois. Grandchildren are Stephanie Carawan and husband Jamie of Lucas, Kimberly Brem and husband Shane of Denison, Lindsey Bean of Pottsboro, Allison Bean of Weatherford, Harry Murphy Bean of Sherman, Paul Curtis Bean of Sherman, and Dixie Elizabeth McElroy of Decatur, Illinois. Great-grandchildren are Sydney and Abigail Carawan of Lucas, Landry Urquhart and Lillyan Bean of Pottsboro, Sophia Joseline Bean of Howe, and William King Brem of Denison. She is also survived by her sister Marjorie Sidleski and husband Richard (Sid) of Vero Beach, Florida, cousin Lois Ashburn Pace of Sherman, special nieces Suzanne Lacke Terry and husband Ted of San Antonio, and Joan Locke Alpaugh Liston of Surprise, Arizona. Her life was also full of many adopted families including the Marie Avery and Sheryl Bradshaw families.

She is preceded in death by husband Harry King Bean, parents Thompson and Ruth Cook Ashburn, sisters Mary Frances Locke and Betty Ruth Jacobs, and brother John Thompson.

Pall Bearers are Harry Murphy Bean, Paul Curtis Bean, Patrick McElroy, Jamie Carawan, Shane Brem, and John Keeton.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to First United Church of Sherman, Samaritan Class, 401 North Elm Street, Sherman, Texas 75090 and the Scholarship Fund of Austin College, 900 North Grand Avenue, Sherman, Texas 75090.

The online register book may be signed at www.waldofunealhome.com