Jessie “Barbara” Dixon

Jessie Barbara Dixon, she went by Barbara. She was born in Detroit, Michigan to Scottish immigrants, arriving after the 1st World War. William and Jessie Cunningham. No relatives in the US and an only child.

Started dancing lessons at 9 years old with formal ballet training until she was 18. In the early 1950’s she danced in the shows in Las Vegas, Thunderbird Hotel, Flamingo Hotel, El Rancho Hotel, Desert Inn and the opening show at multiple other Hotels. Also, in Reno.

At age 28 her mother was so ill she came to Santa Barbara, where she met her husband Kenneth I Jurgensen “US Navy”, who flew jets from Aircraft Carriers and followed his career for 20 years on active duty during the Vietnam War. They adopted 2 children, Neil and Cristal.

Her parents William and Jessie died on month apart the year Barbara turned 30, when they were visiting from Texas.

At 51, Barbara and Ken divorced when he retired from the Navy. Following the divorce, Barbara rediscovered her passion for dance and started ballroom dancing.

She was a member of the Santa Barbara Woman’s club since 1997 and 18 years of being a docent of Lotusland.

At age 64 she met Jim Dixon, married, and spent the next 20 years dancing and going on luxurious cruises. Jim passes away in 2015.

In 2021, her daughter Cristal and her boyfriend Dominique moved in with her to take care of her. Towards the end, her 2 sons Austin and Steven helped their grandma up until the end.

Now she will join Jim at the Santa Barbara Cemetery where they can dance all night long!!!

Her service will be held at the Chapel in the Santa Barbara Cemetery at 1:00 pm on Jan 4, 2024, then her Celebration of Life will be held from 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm at the Santa Barbara Woman’s Club, by R.S.V.P. only with name and number of guests to 805-886-8213 by December 25th please. Instead of flowers, anyone may make a donation to the Salvation Army.