Dixie Ann Walker Cole's Obituary
Dixie Ann Walker Cole was born in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, on July 8, 1932, to Digby West and Virginia Ervin Walker, and entered the presence of our Lord on November 30, 2025.
Dixie graduated from Eureka Springs High School in 1950, serving as class historian, before attending William Woods College in Fulton, Missouri, where she studied contemporary writing. During her time at William Woods, she became Editor of the college newspaper, distinguished herself as a gifted writer, pianist, and organist, and played frequently on the college radio station. Before leaving William Woods, she was featured as an organist on an album produced by the school. She was also active in the Rainbow Girls organization, and in 1952 was honored to serve as Grand Worthy Advisor for the State of Arkansas.
Dixie later attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, pledged Chi Omega, and met her future husband, John Conway Cole, Jr. The two were married on December 31, 1953. Their early years together took them from Fayetteville to Fort Smith, Arkansas; Monroe, Louisiana; Owosso, Michigan; and Dallas, Texas. In each community, Dixie shared her musical gifts as a pianist and organist in the family’s church, eventually becoming lead organist at Park Forest Baptist Church in Dallas. In 1964, she and her family returned to Fayetteville, where she lived for the remainder of her life.
Throughout the years, Dixie served as a substitute elementary school teacher and worked in various roles to support her growing family. A talented writer, she contributed numerous Letters to the Editor to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, expressing her thoughtful—and often spirited—views on politics and life. She also wrote children’s stories, travelogues, and a variety of scripts and narratives she believed played their part in inspiring motion pictures for many years.
A devoted member of Fayetteville’s First Baptist Church since 1964, Dixie was a faithful presence in her Senior Adult Sunday School class and served for many years as its pianist. She became an early resident of Butterfield Trail Village, where she embraced community life with enthusiasm—volunteering in many capacities and brightening gatherings with her music. She ultimately became one of Butterfield’s longest-tenured residents.
Dixie will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and steadfast friend. Her life was anchored in her faith, which she lived openly and joyfully. She read her well-worn Bible daily until the day the Lord called her home. She taught her family the values of faith, love, perseverance, and choosing joy in every circumstance. She cherished music, dogs, helping others, and a good joke—whether it was genuinely funny or not. Her smile was constant, and she had a rare gift for bringing out smiles in others.
She is survived by her three sons: John Walker Cole and his wife Karen; Scott Crandall Cole and his wife Emily; and Brian Wilson Cole and his wife Andrea; along with fourteen grandchildren and twenty-six great-grandchildren.
A family graveside service will be held at the Eureka Springs Cemetery on Saturday, December 6, with arrangements by Nelson-Berna Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Butterfield Trail Village Foundation, First Baptist Church of Fayetteville, or the Salvation Army. The family extends heartfelt thanks to the entire HealthCare Center and Resident Care staff at Butterfield Trail Village, as well as the Circle of Life Hospice team, for their compassionate care—and to the many friends who faithfully checked on Dixie and brightened her days.
To sign the online guest book please visit https://www.bernafuneralhomes.com
What’s your fondest memory of Dixie?
What’s a lesson you learned from Dixie?
Share a story where Dixie's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Dixie you’ll never forget.
How did Dixie make you smile?