SMETHPORT — Dixie Lee McGavisk, “Mema,” of Smethport was called home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Aug. 14, 2026.

She was born Sept. 24, 1941, in Kane to the late Robert Hewitt and Wilma Stickles Chesnut. Dixie was an avid member of Hilltop Baptist Church.

She loved and cherished her family more than anything, second only to God.

The “Pink Lady,” as she was very well known, also treasured her personal possessions in her favorite color pink. Such as, pink clothing, furniture and appliances, to name a few. You may have even seen Mema cruising around in her pink car!

Dixie spent her working career at Zippo Manufacturing, as a beautician, owner and operator of a day care, EMT, medical secretary, and as a home health aid. She also donated her time to the church as a Sunday school teacher and actively volunteered making sure parishioners’ birthdays and anniversaries were not forgotten.

Dixie is survived by her three daughters, Brenda Young of Florence, S.C., Julie McGavisk of Eldred and Kathy McGavisk Carpenter of Smethport; and one son, John Jay McGavisk of Bradford; seven grandchildren, Brandon, Tiffany, Justin, Heather, Kody, Ryanna and Kylar; 13 great-grandchildren, Breawna, Jordan, Brock, Bailey, Koda, Maggie, Everett, Arya, Jonahs, Jax, Loerali, Isaiah and Kendall; and two sisters, Bonnie Conklin of Clarendon and Judie Kahle of Cuba, N.Y.

In addition to her parents, Dixie was preceded in death by a grandson, Kruze Carpenter; a sister, Karla Hewitt; and three stepbrothers, Ted, Rick and Larry Chesnut.

Visitation will be held noon to 1 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 22, 2026) at Hilltop Baptist Church, Gifford, where funeral services will immediately follow with the Rev. Max Simms, pastor, officiating. Lunch will be held after services.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hilltop Baptist Church.

Arrangements are under direction of Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes Inc. Online condolences may be made at hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com.