Shirley Bates Dixon (88), of Mt. Sterling, passed from this life to be with the Lord on Saturday, August 24, 2024.  She was born in Menifee County, Kentucky, on October 6, 1935, to the late Joseph and Myrtle Bates.

She is survived by a daughter, Debra Watson (Doug) and son, John M.; two grandchildren, Sara Magedanz (Andrew) and Daniel Watson (Lauren), and one great-grandson, Declan Magedanz; two brothers, Stanton Bates (Jerri) and Martin Bates (Loraine, deceased); five sisters, Bonnie Bennett (Lacy), Victoria Beyer (Gary), Brenda Toler (Ron), Sherrie Barnard (Jim, deceased), and Ronada Whitaker (Foy), as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  She is also survived by many dear church friends and prayer warriors.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, J. D., and son David; as well as two sisters, Carlene Becraft and Barbara Bates.

Shirley was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker whose life was centered in serving Christ.  She was active in her church as well as in her community, serving in a number of capacities on various boards and committees.  Shirley and J. D. were an involved couple in Hawesville, Kentucky and the entirety of Hancock County, where they lived 46 years.

Visitation will be held at Mount Zion Community Church, a Global Congregation, Winchester, Kentucky, on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, from 10:00-11:00 a.m., with the funeral service following at 11:00 a.m. at the same location.  Pastor Neil Salvaterra and Pastor Eric Patterson will officiate.

Graveside interment will be Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 12:00 p.m., Central Standard Time, at Serenity Hills Cemetery, Hawesville, Kentucky, with Steve Jackson officiating.

Pallbearers will be nephews Jeff Becraft, Randy Bates, Derrick Wilson, Steven Wilson, Scott Bates, Jason Beyer, and Sean Donohew, with honorary pallbearer nephew Brett Alfrey.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to Markey Cancer Center or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.