Missing Dixie

Dixie Virginia Carter (May 25, 1939 – April 10, 2010)

Like most fans of the show, my favorite Designing Woman was spoiled, former beauty queen, Suzanne Sugarbaker, wonderfully played by the real life former Miss Orlando, Delta Burke. I had the opportunity to see the Colonial High School graduate in person in her sash and tiara down at Lake Eola in the mid-70s and I can attest, she was as beautiful in person as she appeared to be on the show.

Though I adored Suzanne, Julia Sugarbaker was a force to be reckoned with as well. The chemistry between Burke’s Suzanne and her TV sister, Julia, played by the late, great Dixie Carter, was such a treat to watch. I was in stitches every time they were on screen together.

One of my favorite exchanges between the two women took places immediately after Julia’s ill fated modeling debut. I’m posting a link in case you haven’t seen it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TK4wyMviss

The whole thing is amusing, but it’s comic gold from about 43 second mark until the end. If you have ever done anything embarrassing in a very public way…or if you have ever had a sister who seemed to take delight in your misfortune (Sorry Cindy, for my reaction to the untied wrap around skirt incident) …you will relate to this.

I have been remiss in not mentioning Dixie Carter’s passing on this blog. In the show, her character was the one who defined style and class. That is, apparently, not too dissimilar from who she was in real life. She will be missed …. even by those who just cherished her from afar.