Dixie, the middle child of three siblings, grew up in a family where her father owned and operated several small retail stores. From a young age, she had a passion for music and dreamed of becoming an opera singer. However, a botched tonsillectomy at the age of 7 unfortunately dashed those aspirations. Despite this setback, Dixie continued to sing regularly and studied classical music, developing a strong foundation in music theory. She is a multi-instrumentalist, proficient in playing the piano, trumpet, and harmonica.
Dixie's academic pursuits led her to graduate from Memphis State University with a degree in English. Her professional debut came in 1960, when she appeared in a local production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Carousel". Three years later, she made the move to New York City and landed a role in Joseph Papp's production of Shakespeare's "A Winter's Tale".
After marrying businessman Arthur Carter, Dixie left the stage for eight years to raise two daughters, Ginna Carter, an actress, and Mary Dixie Carter, a screenwriter. At the age of 35, she returned to acting, but unfortunately, found that no agent was willing to give her a chance. Her second marriage, to Broadway actor George Hearn, was short-lived.
Despite these challenges, Dixie persevered and continued to pursue her passion for acting. Her story is a testament to her resilience and determination to succeed in the competitive world of entertainment.
