Dixie Sue Way Woodbury, age 79, of Wilmington passed away Friday, October 14, 2016 surrounded by her family at her home.

She was born May 7, 1937 in Anita, Iowa the daughter of the late Max Way and Marjorie Knowlton Way.

Dixie retired after 40 years as an elementary school teacher that specialized in the art of reading and started her career in the Omaha Public Schools of Nebraska. She was a dedicated and caring teacher that took immense interest in her student's success. Later, she took time from teaching to raise her family and further her education by going back to college to earn a Master's Degree.

Dixie taught in the Howard County Public Schools in Columbia, Maryland and lived most of her adult life in Maryland and Pennsylvania until her retirement when she moved to Wilmington, North Carolina. She spent much of her time giving back to others and volunteering in the community at the Wilmington Airport and the local homeless shelter. She enjoyed line dancing at the senior center and local churches. Most of all she was devoted to her family and was a loving and wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend that will be deeply missed by all.

Left to cherish her memory are her three daughters, Pageen Williford of MD, Lee Anne Crane (Bob) of Wilmington, NC and Lorrie Noll (Jeff) of Charlotte, NC; six grandchildren, Matthew Robinson, Brandyn Robinson, Brianna Crane, Connor Crane, Savannah Noll and Skylar Noll; Brother, Dean Way (Teresa) of Lincoln, NE; and two nephews Christopher and Kyle Way.

A private family memorial service will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society at www.donate.cancer.org or the Good Shepherd Center at www.goodshepherdwilmington.org.

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Quinn McGowen Wilmington Chapel, 315 Willow Woods Drive, Wilmington, NC 28409. 910.794.7171