Dixie Lee Souder

Dixie Lee Souder, age 83, of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, formerly of St. Augustine, Florida, passed away on March 12, 2026, at Chester County Hospital in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Born on September 18, 1942, in Bradford, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late Clarence and Betty (Gee) Herbert.

A 1960 graduate of Otto-Eldred High School, Dixie began her career as a secretary at the former Valley Forge Army Hospital. She devoted herself to raising her children and caring for her home, serving as PTA President of the Schuylkill School Home and School Association throughout their years there. Later, she worked as a home economics teacher for CASE in Coatesville and retired from the Chester County Intermediate Unit.

Dixie gave generously of her time as volunteer coordinator at Phoenixville Hospital and was a longtime member of the Eastern Star. She touched many lives through her clown ministry as a Christian Clown and opened her heart and home as a beloved foster mother to several children. She found quiet joy in gardening, baking, knitting, and sewing.

She is survived by her three children, Keith A. Souder and his wife Kimberly, Scott D. Souder, and Cynthia L. Souder; five grandchildren, Leeanne C. Burrell, Emily J. Souder, Armon D. Thomas, Christian A. Souder, and Isaiah D. Thomas; two foster children, Chelsea Amoriello and Ashley Scott; and her former husband, John D. Souder.