Dixie Anna Dunning

Dixie Anna was born on June 26, 1956, in Lubbock, to the late Orville Bert Woolverton and Beverly June (Click) Woolverton. She grew up in Lubbock. During her senior year of high school, she moved with her family to Sweetwater, Texas. She moved back to Lubbock and graduated from Lubbock High School in 1975.

She married Paul McChesney, Jr., on August 13, 1976, in Sweetwater, Texas. Together, they had three children, Amy, Vanessa, and Andy. During the early years, Dixie was a devoted homemaker and military wife. The family lived numerous places stateside and abroad following her husband’s career. She later married Ronnie Dunning on April 16, 2016. They created and enjoyed many special memories together.

Dixie was a faithful Christian and was an active participant of the Protestant Women of the Chapel at several military bases. When the family lived in Lawton, Oklahoma, she was actively involved in several church ministries at Central Baptist Church. She was a fantastic seamstress and created many unique pieces her family will cherish. Her funny, kind, and warm nature will be missed.

While Dixie was naturally caring, she could see and feel the needs of others. This made her decision to embark on a career in nursing, productive and worthwhile. She began her 20+ year career in nursing at Covenant Hospital in 1999. Her work ethic and attention to patient care were exceptional. She went beyond the job to not only meet the physical needs of her patients, but also the spiritual and cultural needs. Dixie could be counted on to do the right thing even when no one was watching. She established great relationships with her colleagues in the medical field.

Through the different trials life gave her, she did the best she could, with what she had. She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Paul “Andy” McChesney, III; her husband, Ronnie Dunning; brother, Daniel “Phillip” Woolverton and his wife, Dixie Lea Woolverton.

She is survived by her daughters, Amy Hays and husband Nathan, Vanessa Shirley and husband Kenneth; grandchildren, Kaitlynn Hays, Keegan Hays, Emma Shirley and Kenton Shirley; sister, Claudia ‘Kathleen” Perry and husband Gary; brother, William Woolverton and wife Teresa; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and special friends.

The family will receive friends for visitation on Thursday, April 9, 2026, from 5:00 -7:00 P.M. at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers in Lubbock. Services celebrating her life will be held on Friday, April 10th, at 2:00 P.M., also at the funeral home, with Eddie Fitzgerald officiating.

A Committal Service will be held at Lubbock Cemetery, 2011 E 31st St, Lubbock, TX 79404, US, on April 10, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm.