She was a graduate of Manor High School and attended the University of Texas at Austin. On May 13, 1943 Jimmie married Wesley Dittlinger, fulfilling a prediction she made at age 10 when she saw him at a county picture memory contest. Over their 70 years of marriage, they worked together as a team to build a life that was both meaningful and rewarding. During Wesley’s 20 year naval career and many tours at sea, Jimmie displayed the strong qualities needed by a Navy wife. After Wesley’s retirement from the Navy, the family moved to Hawaii and then California. Jimmie worked for many years as a secretary. She retired in 1975 from the Naval Civil Engineering Lab in Port Hueneme, California, where she was an executive secretary. She had many fond memories of working with the Sea Lab program in an office that overlooked the Pacific Ocean. In 1977 Jimmie and Wesley moved back to Texas to be near their children and settled in Austin. Some of Jimmie’s interests included attending Bible Study Fellowship (of which she was a graduate), spending time with family, cooking, traveling, and playing Liverpool Rummy with her friends.
Jimmie was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Dorothy Lee, and Clara Jean Fisher; and by her brothers, Aaron, Rufus, and Roy Lee.
She is survived by her husband, Wesley Dittlinger; son, Stephen Dittlinger and wife, Jackelin; daughter, Carol Ideker and husband, Dwane; granddaughters, Jamie Dittlinger Medellin and husband, Isaac, and Stephany Dittlinger; great- granddaughter, Annabel Lee Medellin; brother, Dan Lee; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank caregivers Irma Maya, Irma Trevino, Dee Rebai, Margie Russell, and Rose Lockhart for their kindness in tending to Jimmie’s needs. We also extend our gratitude to Dr. Steven Dobberfuhl, Dr. Thomas Baldacchino, and Dr. Peter Miller for their compassionate care of Jimmie. To the staff at Austin Home Health, Home Instead, South Austin Hospital, and Hospice Austin, we express our appreciation for your amazing support during difficult times. Each of you has helped to make this journey an easier one. Finally, to the wonderful neighbors on Grennock Drive, thank you for the countless ways you have shown your love and support to Jimmie and Wesley. You continue to be a daily blessing.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 12, 2014 in the Chapel of Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home with Reverend Jeanne Devine of Berkeley United Methodist Church to officiate. Interment will follow at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park. A reception will follow at Berkeley UMC, 2407 Berkeley Avenue.
For those desiring memorial contributions may be made in memory of Jimmie to Berkeley UMC, Manor UMC, or Bible Study Fellowship.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18