Charlene Akers Irwin Dix

Charlene Akers Irwin Dix passed away at her home on October 29, 2017 - her 83rd birthday. She was born in Prestonburg, Kentucky on October 29, 1934, the second eldest of nine children, to Edmond Burr & Woodsie Ellen Akers.

Char grew up in Prestonburg and attended Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky, where she earned her BS degree in Business Education. At Eastern, she met and eventually married James Thomas Irwin, who served in the US Army. They had six amazing children, three of whom are triplets, and lived in Germany, Panama, and several places within the US. In 1975, they were transferred to Lawton, Oklahoma.

In 1979, Char married the love of her life, Dr. Robert A. Dix, the father of five. Robert was a respected pathologist and Char became his office manager. They were involved with the Lawton Philharmonic and were members of the choir at the Old Post Chapel on Ft. Sill. In addition, Char served as president of the SW Oklahoma Opera Guild, VP of the Oklahoma State Medical Association Auxiliary, Special Projects Coordinator at KSWO, Social Coordinator at the Sandpiper Inn, was a member of the Lawton Chamber of Commerce, and sang with the Cameron-Lawton Chorus. Char and Robert retired and moved to their home in Edmond, Oklahoma in 1996. There, Char was on the committee for the Symphony Show House, a vital source of charitable fundraising which contributes to the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and has brought the joy of music to around 2 million children and adults through its education programs. Char was also a breast cancer survivor.

Robert and Char enjoyed extensive traveling, snow skiing, and visiting their many children and grandchildren.

Char is survived by her loving husband, Dr. Robert A. Dix; six children: Karen Curry and her husband Kevin, James Thomas Irwin, Jr. and his wife Denise, Gwynn McDowell and her husband Mike, Lynn Irwin and her husband Jeff Hammond, John Irwin, and Lauren Voyles and her husband Don; nine grandchildren: Jimmy (Jackie), Christy, Matthew, Sean, Shannon, Rachel, Jessica, Sam, and Joey, along with Wesley and Kristi; and one great-grandchild, Holland. Also surviving Char are her step-children, Richard Dix and his wife Susan and Monique Dix and her partner Sue. Finally, she is survived by seven loving siblings and their spouses: Katherine (Edsel), Raybon (Winnie), Beaulahvene (Darrel), Fermin (Barbara), Charlotte, Dennis (Dixie), and Gordon (Debbie); and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

We would like to thank the caring staff from Care Plus Home Care, especially Laverne, Aryqa, Shaleea, and Angela, who all took wonderful care of Char for 14 months. In addition, we would like to thank Kathy, Lois, and Roberta from Heartland Hospice, who kept Char comfortable throughout. We would also like to extend a special thank you to Char’s granddaughter, Shannon, who took loving care of her grandmother until the end.

Char was considered ‘Mom’ to many of her children’s friends and loved them all. She will always be remembered for her quiet strength and her beautiful smile.

Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 am Saturday, November 11, 2017 at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home in Lexington, Kentucky on Harrodsburg Road, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 am. Interment will follow the service at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Lexington.

Services in Oklahoma are being coordinated with Tribute Memorial Care of Norman. A Celebration of Charlene's life will be held at the family home in Edmond, Oklahoma on December 30, 2017.

Donations in Char’s name may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation.