Dixie Broughton, 79, of Hampton, VA, passed away January 2, 2014, after a long illness. Dixie was born in Lumberton, NC, the first child of Paul Lester Wilkins and Gladys Baxley Wilkins, both deceased. She was also preceded in death by a daughter Melody Lynn Blair, and brother Paul Keith Wilkins.

She is survived by her granddaughter, Wendy Gifford Turner, husband Drewy Turner, great granddaughters Amber Brann Gifford and Cassandra Lynn Gifford, Sister Joyce W. Robbins, husband Gifford E. Robbins, Jr., brother, Gerald G. Wilkins, wife Patricia Richardson Wilkins, nephews, Gifford Robbins, III and family and Joseph Allen Robbins and family.

Dixie retired from McDonald's nursery where she was a loyal, enthusiastic and respected employee of McDonald's Nursery for 36 years where her extensive knowledge and love of all living plants and shrubs created many loyal customers who asked for her by name over and over. She loved Christmas time when she would special order Poinsettias for her valued customers. She, most of all, enjoyed her employer, customers, friends and co-workers with whom she had many, many fond memories. Her tremendous love of plants and flowers was apparent as she rescued any plant that was in need of love and attention. She spent many hours each spring planting flowers in the median strip in the street outside her lovely Victorian Hampton home. She loved and cherished all things antique and her beloved city of Hampton, VA. Dixie was a member of the Camellia Society, had served on the board of Beautification of Hampton Roads, and was a leader in the Pasture Point Community.

A funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 PM, Monday, January 6, 2014 at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home by Rev. Elton Pryor with interment to follow in Peninsula Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Sunday from 5-7 PM at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home.