Desiree Penelope Dixon Phillips, 53, passed away early Wednesday, August 14, 2013, at the Wuesthoff Center for Hospice Care in Rockledge, Florida.

Desiree was born to Wayne Dixon and Myra Murray on September 30, 1959, in Dalton, GA.  She married he best friend, David Russell Phillips, the son of Barbara Scruggs and the late James T. Phillips, on May 2, 1975, and began an adventure raising a family and traveling.  The family eventually settled in Brevard County Florida.

She is survived by he husband and best friend of 38 years, Russell; mother, Myra Murray; father Wayne Dixon; mother-in-law Barbara Scruggs; daughter, Anna Phillips Todd and son-in-law Willam Todd; beloved grandchildren, Scarlett, Mason, and Carter Todd; as well as numerous other family members and many cherished friends.

A memorial service in her honor will be held at Rockledge Presbyterian Church in Rockledge, FL on Saturday, August 31, 2013, at 2:00 p.m.

(www.legacy.com/obituaries/floridatoday/obituary)

Additional information from the Dalton Daily Citizen:

Life began to slow with her diagnoses of COPD.  Desiree fought a long battle against the disease, always encouraging others that she would recover; resiliency being one of her best attributes.  She loved to laugh and be with family and friends.

In addition to the surviors listed above, she is also survived by her siblings, Michael, Timothy and Gary Dixon.

(www.daltondailycitizen.com/obituaries)