Dixie A. Everill

Dixie Ashcraft Everill, aged 89, passed away on October 19, 2024, in her adopted hometown of Jacksonville, Florida. Born on April 8, 1935, in Birmingham, Alabama, Dixie graduated from Hueytown High School before attending Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina. After earning her degree, she began her teaching career in the Commonwealth of Virginia before moving to Jacksonville, where she taught at Holiday Hill Elementary School and University Christian School. Committed to helping children succeed, Dixie went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Reading from Jacksonville University and founded The Reading Clinic of North Florida, where she dedicated herself to helping struggling readers find success and discover the joy of reading.

Dixie’s greatest love was her family. While attending Southside Baptist Church, she met her future husband, and the two were married on August 5, 1961. Together, they raised their four children and supported them in their educational journeys and extracurricular activities, from ballet and figure skating to baseball, basketball, and football. Dixie cherished spending time with her family, including visits to Alabama to see her beloved nieces, Wendy Ashcraft Cochrane and Jill Ashcraft Hickey.

After retirement, Dixie and her husband, Bill, enjoyed spending time together on trips to the mountains of North Georgia during spring and fall. One of their most memorable adventures was a journey to Alaska.

She was an active member of several churches, including Southside Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Liberty Church, and Fort Caroline Baptist Church, where she formed lifelong friendships and served her community.

Dixie was preceded in death by her father, John Washington Ashcraft; her mother, Lessie LaDora Floyd Ashcraft; her brother, John William Ashcraft; and her devoted husband of 60 years, William Franklin Everill. She is survived by her children: Theresa Lorene Kleinpoppen of Fort Myers, FL; Constance Everill Murphy of Jacksonville, FL; William Franklin Everill II (Kelly) of Orange Park, FL; and Scott Douglas Everill (Alison) of Jasper, GA. She also leaves behind 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of her life is scheduled for Monday, October 28, 2024, at the Oaklawn Chapel & Cemetery located at 4801 San Jose Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL, 32207, to be officiated by Rev. John Shultz , Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Macclenny. Visitation is at 10:00am followed by the service at 11:00am.