Ruth Kirkland Dixon, 96, of Liberty passed away peacefully on April 7, 2026, in her home surrounded by her family. Visitation will be Thursday, April 9th from 6-8 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Liberty and will continue from 10-11 a.m. Friday April 10th at Liberty Baptist Church with the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. The graveside service will follow at The Liberty Cemetery. Dr. Brock Burch, Bro. Jared Leonard, and Bro. David Fortenberry will officiate.

Ruth was born January 10, 1930, the daughter of Clem and Bessie Graves Kirkland. She was second oldest of their six children.

Ruth grew up on a farm in Ducktown, and at a young age, realized the value of hard work. As a 17 year old senior in high school, she began her career at the Amite County Courthouse, working for attorney T.F. Badon, followed by John H. Parker who was Chancery Clerk. She then worked several years for attorney Joe Gordon as his legal secretary.

Soon after her high school graduation, she married the love of her life, D.M. Dixon Jr. on June 28, 1947. They were blessed to be married to each other for 67 years, until D.M. passed away June 29, 2014, just one day after their 67th wedding anniversary.

On February 26, 1952, she would be blessed with her only child; a son — David M. Dixon, III. She loved watching him play sports and followed him to every football, basketball, and baseball game he participated in. This love of sports sparked her love for watching college and professional football on TV every chance she got. Watching old westerns became a close "second" to football.

In 1976, Ruth's legal background paid off, and she was elected circuit clerk of Amite County. She served as the circuit clerk for five terms and took great pride in serving the people of Amite County. She retired in 1996 at the age of 65.

Ruth enjoyed gardening and seemed to have a green thumb. She made the best bread and butter pickles with the cucumbers from her garden and homemade fig preserves from her fig trees. She loved playing the piano and singing alto. She was an excellent seamstress and enjoyed making clothes.

Ruth was an active member of Liberty Baptist Church for many years, where she enjoyed singing in the choir, teaching Sunday school, and singing with the Sweet Spirit Singers. She also loved volunteering at Southwest MS Regional Medical Center as a Pink Lady for 15 years.

Because her husband D.M. was a WWII veteran and fought in the Battle of the Bulge in Germany, Ruth became very involved with the other spouses and survivors within the state of MS, serving as the secretary for their organization.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband D.M., her older sister Naomi Lanier, two younger sisters, Ruby Miriam Dolan and Lanell Sipes; niece Mary Chatfield, nephews Jerry Lanier and Bill Mabry, Jr.; brothers-in-law Bob Lanier, Bill Dolan, Don Hall, and Bill Sipes; her sister-in-law and brother-in-law Virginia and Bill Mabry, Sr.

She is survived by her son David and his wife Rhonda; grandson Justin and wife Sherry, granddaughter Elise Birdsong and her husband John, grandson John and his wife Brittani; great grandchildren Lilli Dixon Wilkinson and husband Ben; Drew Dixon; Chloe, Eden, and Lydia Birdsong; Bentley and Tyler Dixon; Leanne Turnage and her husband Eli; one great, great granddaughter Amelia Turnage; sister Peggy Hall and brother Dr. Clem Kirkland, Jr. and his wife Dr. Jeanne Kirkland; and several special nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be John Birdsong, Brannan Thurman, Drew Dixon, Ben Wilkinson, John Lanier, and Eli Turnage. Honorary pallbearers are deacons of Liberty Baptist Church and Mars Hill Baptist Church.

In the last few months of her life, Ruth was blessed with several special caregivers: Collette Gilmore, Diane McCaa, Liz Wicker, Betty Woodard, and Wanda Temple. The family appreciates you all more than you will ever know! Also, a special thanks to Deaconess Hospice for the special care.