Dixie Ruth James, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away on January 6, 2019 at age 83. Born 20 miles outside Mangum, Oklahoma on January 31, 1935, Dixie grew up on a farm, the youngest of 4 children. Her family later moved to California and eventually Dixie settled in Long Beach. One night in a country western bar, she met her husband to be, a handsome sailor named Bob Kelley. (Bob often said Dixie could drink one beer and dance all night.) They married in 1956 and had 2 daughters. In 1966, they moved to San Diego and bought a home in Clairemont. Here Dixie and Bob, both talented swing dancers, enjoyed hosting dance parties for neighbors and friends. Dixie was also a favorite of her customers at Albie's Beef Inn where she worked for over 30 years. With a fondness for travel, she visited Ireland and Scotland, and took a 30 day trip across Europe. She also enjoyed bowling, golf, and gardening but her main joy was being a grandmother. Her grandchildren remember many adventures with her including Broadway shows, days at the beach, Disneyland , Sea World, Legoland and swimming in her backyard pool. Sadly, Dixie's daughter Suzette passed away in 2014 of leukemia. Dixie is survived by her daughter Denise and son-in-law Jeffery Jones, her grandchildren, Nathaniel and Lindsey Jones, Jeremy and Brittany Jones, Hannah Jones, and Jonathan Jones and her great granddaughter Clementine Jones. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at Pacific Hope Church, 3550 Alton Rd. San Diego, CA 92123. The family asks, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society.