Dixie Modean (Malone) Drilling

Dixie Modean (Malone) Drilling, age 81, of Morrilton, Arkansas, passed away on Monday, January 19, 2026, in Little Rock, Arkansas. Dixie was born on August 4, 1944, in Morrilton, Arkansas, to the late Dalton C. Malone and Alidene Bennett Malone. She was raised in Plumerville and was a graduate of Plumerville High School. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 59 years, Denis; her brother, William "Bill" J. Malone; her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Christine "Honey" and David Thessing; and her sister-in-law, Joan Drilling. Dixie is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Ellen Malone and her sister-in-law, Sandra Malone. Her greatest accomplishments were her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Left to cherish her memory are her children: Mark (Kim) Drilling of Conway; Amy (Todd) Hoyt of Morrilton; David (Heather) Drilling of Morrilton; and Jon (Stacy) Drilling of Morrilton; along with her beloved fur buddy, Gigi. Known lovingly as "Mamma Dixie" or "Mamma D," she leaves behind her grandchildren: Kevin (Lori) Harwell; Lance (Amber) Harwell; Lindsey (John Bryant) McConnell; Taylor Hoyt; Adam (Teal) Hoyt; Ben, Jack, Dayton, Phillip, and Ethan Drilling. Her great-grandchildren include Baylea Johnson; Brandon (Emma) Harwell; Natalie (Chris) Yates; Kelvin Baker; Lex Harwell; Amy Claire, Anna, and John Hoyt McConnell; and Archer Hoyt. Dixie was first and foremost a devoted homemaker, but she also worked as a decorator, spending many hours perched on a ladder hanging wallpaper. She found time to dabble in politics as one of the "Snoop Sisters." While her children attended Sacred Heart, she devoted countless hours to school activities— heating up cheese dip for ball games, making coffee for the concession stand, and famously "sweeping the gym. " As her children grew older, Dixie owned and operated Plummer's Flowers, which she ran daily for 27 years. She was a gracious and generous host who prepared meals for everything from children playing "round ball" in the driveway to catering events with Drilling and Friends. She cooked for fundraisers such as Cajun Night and opened her home to anyone who stopped by. Dixie truly had a servant's heart. Funeral mass will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 22, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Charles Thessing, Father Stephen Hart, and Father Jack Harris officiating. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery. Rosary will be at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 21, at the Harris Chapel with visitation following until 8:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Church or Sacred Heart School. Pallbearers will be Kevin Harwell, Lance Harwell, Taylor Hoyt, Adam Hoyt, John Bryant McConnell, Ben Drilling, Jack Drilling, Dayton Drilling, Phillip Drilling, and Ethan Drilling.

Dixie Modean (Malone) Drilling

August 4, 1944 - January 19, 2026