Obituaries

Dixie Kay Patefield

Obituary

Dixie Kay Patefield

Born February 5, 1937

With the Lord May 7, 2024

Dixie Sunderland was born in Juneau, Alaska, on February 5, 1937. Several years later, her family moved to Seattle. After graduating from West Seattle High School, she went to Multnomah School of the Bible and then pursued a nursing degree at the University of Washington.

At Gatewood Baptist Church, Dixie crossed paths with Arden Patefield, and they were married on June 21, 1963. Their new home expanded with the birth of Nathan Jay and Lisa Rene. In order to help keep her children in Christian schools, Dixie went back to work as a nurse serving at the CRISTA Ministries Rest Home for over 20 years.

For the last 44 years, Dixie was an active member at North Creek Baptist Church — playing piano, working in children’s ministries and serving on several committees. She was especially sensitive to visitors who entered the church and always did her best to make them feel at home.

After Lisa married Jeff and Nathan married Dawn, grandchildren began to appear, and Dixie enjoyed loving on them in her quiet manner. Who knows how many cards she mailed and how many phone calls she made to keep in touch with Lydia, Nathan, Patricia, Sam, Tommy, and Joanna.

Though Dixie precedes us in death, she is still very much alive! At some point in her life, God worked in her heart. She recognized her need of salvation from sin and placed her trust in Jesus Christ alone. Her hope and confidence were based on the promises in His Word, and she knew she would spend eternity in His presence. Her last words to one of her granddaughters were “No more goodbyes!”