Drayton Clarence Nethery

Family/Spouse: Louise L. Self. Louise was born about 1888 in Louisiana; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Dixie Nethery Sparks was born January 21, 1919, in Milam, TX, the youngest child of Louise and Drayton Nethery. Dixie attended school in Milam, on the site of present-day Bethany Baptist Church and later attended high school in Hemphill. Dixie's higher education earned her degrees in music, English, and counseling. She began her career as an educator in Center and later moved back home to Milam and became a high school teacher in Hemphill. In addition to classroom teaching, she gave piano lessons in her home to local children and directed church music.

Dixie's teaching career ended in 1961 when, out of necessity, she took over sole management of Sparks Grocery, a business formerly owned by her father. For over fifty years, she operated a business that served the needs of area residents. Shelves were stocked with food, produce, medicines, gadgets, and books. Racks held fabric, shoes, and toys- anything that can now be purchased at Walmart. Credit was extended when times were hard. Christmas would find her selling and wrapping gifts for last-minute shoppers. She continued to operate Sparks Grocery until early in 2016. By that time, the shelves were mostly bare and shoppers were few. But, folks would continue to stop by for a free cup of coffee and to chat. For several years she would say, "Well, I guess I need to retire one of these days."

Though Dixie never had children of her own, she enjoyed sharing in the lives of her extended family and local children who frequented her store. She always made sure that their school pictures were displayed above the cash register.

In addition to her parents, Dixie was predeceased by an infant brother and sister; former husband, Howard Sparks; her sister, Verlyn Nethery Owens; brother-in-law, Max Owens; and great nephew, Steve Owens.

Dixie spent the last three years of her life in a care facility in Nacogdoches. Following a brief time of illness, Dixie entered her heavenly home on April 9, 2019. She is survived by nieces and nephews, generations of cousins, countless friends, former students, and her family from Magnolia Court.

Funeral services for Dixie will begin at 2:00 p.m. Friday, April 12, 2019 in Starr Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Mike Tieman and Bro. Robert Shaddock officiating.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until service time.

Burial will follow services in Milam Cemetery under the direction of Starr Funeral Home with Gene Nethery, Jim Nethery, Felix Holmes, Raymond Edgar, Robby Roberts, Robbie Hudspeth, and Marty Griffin serving as pallbearers.

Online condolences can be made at starrfuneralhome.com.

From Starr Funeral Home website
Also published in the Sabine County Reporter, April 17, 2019, page 7