Dixie Lee Harvey Palmer

September 4, 1946 ~ January 12, 2021

In Loving Memory of a Wonderful Lady

Dixie was born September 4, 1946 in Provo, UT to Rex J and Dorothy Hokanson Harvey.

Her early years were spent mostly in Blanding, UT. She graduated from San Juan High School in Blanding in 1964 and went on to attend Utah State University (USU) in Logan, UT and Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, UT as a student of childhood education.

Dixie married James Christopher Palmer on August 26, 1966. She was a great support to him during his education and a consummate diplomat’s spouse during her beloved husband’s career.

She traveled with him and became a welcome part of expatriate and local communities in Uruguay, Colombia, Jamaica, India, Panamá, Brazil, and Malawi and in the states of Utah, Arizona, and Virginia.

She learned Spanish and Portuguese, though she was most fond of her native English.

She held down the homefront in Orem, UT when a dangerous assignment took him to war-torn Liberia.

After he retired, they traveled to visit family, friends, and places close to their hearts and served a couple’s mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the temple in Mérida, México.

During their nearly 55 years of marriage, they welcomed into their family five children. They have welcomed many wonderful in-laws and grandchildren into their family and have always remained a central pillar of love and support for all of them.

They have also always been willing to treat friends much the same as family, and there are many who can tell you that they felt quickly and warmly welcomed by Dixie.

Dixie was ever a kind hostess to guests and a helper to those in need. She was a faithful follower and supporter of her beloved faith.

She served as a dedicated and capable homemaker, mother, and grandmother. She worked in craft stores in Virginia and Utah, in the BYU Bookstore, and as a helper or teacher at many church activities and quilting retreats.

She loved books, crosswords, quilting, jigsaw puzzles, movies, stories, card games, board games, and, most importantly, spending time with family and friends.

On January 12, 2021, Dixie died in Mesa, AZ of COVID-19 during a battle with stage four cancer. She was 74 years old.

Dixie is survived by her husband, Chris/Jim, and their five children: Ben/Chantze of Moab, UT; Rodney of Lakeway, TX; James R. of Layton, UT; Matthew of Temple, TX; and Kristina of Orem, UT. She is survived by several grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

Dixie is also survived by her brother, Mark Harvey, of Rocky Point/Puerto Peñasco, México.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Ilene Lee Harvey Chisler, of Gilbert, AZ.

A memorial service will be held in her honor in Blanding, UT. Attendance will be by invitation only due to COVID-19 policy restrictions and available space.