September 9, 1930 – June 11, 2024
BUXTON — Dixie Stevens Burrus Browning of Buxton, North Carolina, rejoined her husband of 61 years on June 11, 2024. Leonard (Lee) L. Browning, Jr., who departed in 2011, was the hero of many of her over 100 published novels and the love of her life.
Dixie was born on September 9, 1930, the first child of Rebecca (Miss Becky) Stevens Burrus and Maurice (Dick) Lennon Burrus. She grew up in Hatteras Village with her siblings, now deceased, Steve (Gilbert Stevens Burrus), Sara (Sara Ethelbert Burrus Shoemaker), and Mary (Mary Rebecca Burrus Williams). She attended Mary Washington College, Richmond Professional Institute (now VCU), and studied nursing at North Carolina’s Baptist Hospital School of Nursing in Winston-Salem, where she met her future husband, Lee. They married in 1950.
During her career as an author, Dixie wrote contemporary novels under her own name for Silhouette and later for Harlequin. In addition, she co-authored historical novels with her sister, Mary, under the name Bronwyn Williams for Harlequin and Topaz. These books have been translated into dozens of languages and circulated worldwide. Several have been re-published as part of the Cape Hatteras Chronicles series.
Dixie was a well-known watercolorist and the first president of the NC Watercolor Society. Her watercolors, acrylics, and oil paintings are in collections across the US.
In addition to her passion for painting, Dixie loved music – from opera to folk and particularly bluegrass. While her arthritic fingers still worked, she performed in a bluegrass band, singing and playing guitar.
In 2016, North Carolina’s governor conferred on Dixie the state’s highest honor. She was inducted into The Order of the Long Leaf Pine in recognition of her exceptional accomplishments and contributions to her communities as well as the state.
Many will miss her artistic eye, her knowledge of Hatteras Island history, and her sense of humor. No one will miss her more than her daughter, Liz Browning Fox, her son and daughter-in-law, Lou and Linda Browning, and her grandchildren, Lee (Bernadette) and Greyson (Sebastian). She is also survived by two precious great-grandsons, River and Lando, a brother-in-law, Dennis, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Dixie enthusiastically supported several Hatteras Island non-profits, including The Hatteras Island Food Pantry and other local projects managed by Hatteras Island United Methodist Men, Hatteras Island Meals, and Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to these and other Hatteras Island non-profit organizations.
A memorial celebration of her life and legacy will be announced at a future date this fall.
Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks, is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.
