Dixie Ann Burks Chaney

Dixie Ann Burks Chaney of Hardyville, KY passed away peacefully at home on June 6, 2022. Born October 21, 1925, to the late William Henry and Annie Gumm Burks, Dixie grew up in Canmer, KY. She attended Spencerian in Louisville and worked in Human Resources at Reynolds Metals to support the war effort.

On August 13, 1947, she married James Easton Chaney of Three Springs, KY and they established their Hart County home for their four children: Mary Anne Arnold (Charles W.), Charles E. Chaney (Terri), Joseph B. Chaney, and Melody A. Chaney as well as grandchildren Nathan Chaney and Caity Houchens (Shawn) and step-grandchildren Mindy Banks (Kevin) and Leigh Arnold.

Dixie is predeceased by her parents and beloved husband as well as her brother, Charley Y. Burks. In addition to her extended family, Dixie cherished dear friends from community and church.

She followed her family’s tradition of having Canmer Baptist Church as a focal point of her life. She, in turn, was the focal point of her family that often broke bread around a bountiful table at holiday or everyday meals. What she made look easy and seamless was in many cases a year-long plan, such as picking wild blackberries on a hot summer day for a jam cake at Christmas or gathering tender garden vegetables just before maturity and freezing them to brighten winter meals, including Dr. Botts green beans, limas, Incredible sweet corn, and canned fully ripe summer tomatoes.

She fostered art and music in her home and with her children. Following in her footsteps, her children studied music, later to the service of their churches. Her meticulous nature is reflected in her hand-braided rugs and hand-pieced, hand-quilted quilts of carefully chosen fabrics with exacting colors and scenes.

A keen observer of nature, she anticipated the arrival of Purple Martin scouts, blossoms from a Mother’s Day fringe tree, fresh tart cherries for cobblers, the miracle of a Monarch chrysalis, and providing nectar for her returning hummingbirds - she even spotted a tiny hummer nest. Dixie approached life with an open mind and a giving spirit. She enjoyed the home that she and James Easton created from scratch, as well as international travel with daughter Melody, especially the Burks homeland of Ireland that seemed familiar to life at her Kentucky home.

She lived a quiet life of dignity and grace, loving by example rather than words. Her wisdom, generosity, and kind spirit will be missed by those who knew her as an extraordinary lady.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be directed to: Baptist Seminary of Kentucky, 400 E. College St, Box 358, Georgetown, KY 40324-1696.

In consideration of covid, a private service for family is planned at a later time. Brooks Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.