Dixie Carnes

Dixie K. Carnes

May 9, 1942 ~ January 18, 2018

Our dear mother, sister and friend Dixie K. Carnes age 75, passed away surrounded by her children on January 18, 2018 in Clearfield, Utah.

Dixie was born on May 9, 1942 in Troy, Alabama to Clarence McAskill and Sylvia Weber McAskill.  She attended many schools growing up as her father was an Army Careerist and she spoke often of Lompoc and San Pedro, CA as well as Washington State. Dixie finished high school in Riverton, WY where she was close to her Grandmother Weber and extended family.  On June 11, 1960 she married Darrel Alexander and was blessed with four children Tracey, Ernest, Dawn and Leslie.

Dixie was a strong and resilient mother and wife who longed to experience new opportunities and continue her education.  After 12 years of marriage, she took her four children and moved to Salt Lake City, Utah where she worked long hours and returned to school, completing an Associate’s Degree at SLCC.  Dixie was a certified machinist and skilled worker and was hired by Hercules Aerospace and later Morton Thiokol, retiring after a 20 year career as a Quality Control Engineer. She was humble but proud of her achievements, being the first female Inspector at Hercules and a part of the Triton Missile Defense System that kept America safe for decades.

While at Hercules, Dixie met and married Clifford C. Carnes on May 30, 1980 with whom she ultimately enjoyed many years of retirement in Mesa, AZ and Pavillion, WY until his death in 2014.

In addition, Dixie was a Master Gardner and could turn a pile of rocks and dirt into an oasis. She was active in the LDS ward in Mesa, AZ and enjoyed organizing and cooking meals for the church missionaries.  During retirement she enjoyed the company of her dogs CC and Pepe and was often found reading or working in her yard.

Dixie is survived by her children Tracey (Larry)  Stevens of Kaysville, Utah,  Ernest (Jill) Alexander of Scotts Valley, CA,  Dawn Alexander of Casper, WY and Leslie (Robert) Brause of Watford City, ND, grandchildren Erin Beckman (Kevin), Travis Alexander, Kennedy Alexander, Callan Alexander, Chance Hebberd, Ty Hebberd and Blake Brause, great-grandchildren Eden, Alex, Amy and Katelyn Beckman and Elizabeth Wilson.  Brothers Richard McAskill (Carol) and Pat McAskill (Mary Jo) and sisters Denise Drum (John), Debbie Coker (Skip) and Melody Henry.

Dixie is preceded in death by her Mother Sylvia, Father Mac, brother Danny McAskill, spouses’ Darrel and Cliff and her beautiful and forever young granddaughter Brittney Wilson.

The family wishes to thank the community and ward of Apple Tree Assisted Living located in Kaysville Utah for their compassion, comfort and care.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, January 22, 2018 at Lindquist’s Kaysville Mortuary, 400 North Main, Kaysville Utah.  Friends may visit with family from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at the mortuary.