Dixie Lee Terry

On July 1, 2017 Dixie Lee Howell Terry, loving mother and dear friend, passed away at the young age of 67, ending a brave and courageous battle against lung cancer. She was born August 14, 1949 in Muskogee, Oklahoma to parents Bill and Betty Howell. She lived a vibrant childhood cutting up with her brother Stephen Howell. When she was a teenager her family moved to Arcadia California where Dixie blossomed in Junior High and High School. She still has many friends from high school. Dixie and Stephen were known as the "life of the party" with their keen sense of humor and quick wit. In 1971 she began her rich 42 year career by attending "Stewardess School" at the American Airlines flight academy in Ft. Worth, Texas. Upon graduation, she was based for a time in New York before landing in Dallas/Ft. Worth. Although she enjoyed flying domestic flights in her early career, her passion was the international travel to Tokyo, London, Paris, Germany, South America, and Sydney. She was promoted to Supervisor of International Flight Attendants and served in that position for several years while her children were young. She then returned to her true passion, flying as "purser" or #1 Flight Attendant. She was an avid member of the flight attendant union as well as a passionate and unspoken voice and advocate for what she believed was right. She took her job seriously and still loved to have fun while striving to be the best. While traveling the world she had the opportunity to work with and meet some amazing friends and colleagues. She loved to fly trips with her closest friends where they would enjoy a fun layover. Dixie retired from American Airlines in June, 2013 after working her final flight from Tokyo. Her many friends became her family. In 1987 Dixie joined friends who had moved to Grapevine, Texas. It was there she raised her children, and resided for the remaining 30 years of her life. Dixie is survived by her father, Bill Howell and her two daughters, Carrah Lee O'Riley and her husband Dylan Patrick O'Riley, and Elizabeth Ryan Terry. She had two grandchildren, Aeden Patrick and Ava Lee O'Riley, her sister-in-law Lin Howell and her two children as well as many loving friends. She is predeceased by her mother Betty Lee Davis, step-father Jack Davis, and brother Stephen Howell. A memorial service will be held in Southlake on Friday, July 21, 2017 at 2pm. White's Chapel United Methodist Church Founder's Chapel 185 South White Chapel Boulevard Southlake, Texas 76092. A reception will follow from 3:30p-7:30p with the location TBD and announced at the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Wings Foundation. www.wingsfoundation.com