It has been said that it only takes a spark to get a fire going. When Dixie came onto our desert community scene, she was not a spark but a stick of dynamite that set off an explosion. The first thought, right after I met Dixie was "WOW!! Is this lady for real? " It didn't take long to see that not only was the tall, attractive, athletic, blond bundle of energy and enthusiasm for Our Lord and His Word real but her vitality was "catching".
At the time, I was the CBS Southern CA East day and evening class Area Director. When Dixie began attending the evening satellite and soon became a core leader, I knew her presence would be a great asset to the class. Her vitality could only help a new evening class "take off" and grow.
With her many years experience as a Bethel Bible Study teacher, when the position opened she was ready to fill the role of Associate Teaching Director. The class did grow and kept growing with many members attending because of Dixie's enthusiastic invitation to attend. There was not a person in her sphere of living who did not hear about CBS.
When the Area and Teaching Director of the class, Bill Kratky, was suddenly called home to be with the Lord in 1992 Dixie, the ATD, with her "ever-ready" willing spirit stepped in and became the Teaching Director. When she began in CBS the class had an enrollment of 60. Last semester the enrollment was 200. Dixie along with her Servants Team enthusiastically supported the formation of a new evening class in the area in Palm Springs. They held the belief that when we multiply, we divide so we may multiply again. Just 2 weeks ago, she was offering praise and thanks to the Lord because He already had replaced the leadership and members who joined the new class.
The Lord used Dixie's vitality at her church as well. She and, her husband, Leo began and led the Experiencing God Study. It began as a small summer study. It grew and became so popular that it is now offered all year around. She, also, served on the Women's Leadership Council. And in her "spare time" she served as a Christian Women's Club chairman and speaker.
Of special note; Dixie retired as a Physical Education Teacher from Beverly Hills High School. During the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles she was the Coordinator for the Flag and Standard Bearers and the Pages. She and Leo had 3 Children. David, Derek and Mari-kay whose husband is Greg. They have 2 Grandchildren, Zane and Kyra. Her Son David and his wife, Kim, are co-pastors at Visalia Presbyterian Church.
When informing the congregation of Dixie's home going, the pastor at Palm Desert Community Presbyterian Church, Doug Gerard, said we will miss her and we know she is with the Lord-and we know that with Dixie "He has His hands full!!!" Not only will our Lord have His Hands full of Dixie and all her energy but His hands will be full of the many, many souls who will be there because of her love of Him and His Word and obedience to His call. Her husband Leo mentioned that just a few weeks ago, Dixie said to him that the reason she had such a passion to do so much for the Lord was that she wanted to hear Him say when she saw Him-"Well done good and faithful servant". All who knew Dixie know that is exactly what she has heard Him say as He welcomed her into His Arms.
For me personally, I know that my dear friend and sister in the Lord was truly original and irreplaceable. When Dixie came into a room, it didn't take long for it to sparkle and sizzle with fun and laughter-especially when she was recounting one of her opportunities to tell someone about Jesus Christ or Community Bible Study. All of our lives are richer because we have known her and our memories will be filled with laughter and joy as we remember our unique, vital one of a kind, explosion of energy, Dixie Zovak. --- unique, vital, one of a kind, ever-smiling (or always smiling), explosion of energy, Dixie Zovak.
By Joyce Hall, Southern CA East, CBS Day Area Director