Alberta Dixon

Born May 24th, 1959, in Sacaton to the Late Jonah Dixon of Gila Crossing and the Late Marilynn Sunna of Casa Blanca. Alberta attended Laveen elementary then to Sacaton Elementary school and then St. Johns School mission in Gila Crossing. Alberta also attended Phoenix Indian Boarding School but transferred to South Mountain High School then to Carol Hayden where she graduated in 1979.

Growing up she helped her dad working in the fields, riding horses and taking out cows to let them graze. She was always by her dad's side helping him where she could, tending to the family livestock and the family fields. She was also a barrel racer in her younger years. After school Alberta worked at the Gila Crossing Clinic as a receptionist. When she wasn't at work or at school, she was spending time with family and friends, Alberta was active with the Native American club at Carl Hayden High School, she became president of the Native American club her senior year.

Alberta started working Union Manufacturing in the paint department as a lead person. It's there where she would meet her future husband. Alberta married Kenneth Kisto of Upper Santan on June 12, 1984. They had three children. Her oldest was Keith Kenneth Kisto (Kay), Eric Jonah Kisto, and her baby boy Kennard Paul Kisto. She also Helped her mother in-law the Late Pamela Jones Pedro, adopt and care for her nephew Christopher Floyed Sharon Makil and niece Robin Eula Makil.

Alberta worked for 18 years at the Sacaton Super Mart in the snack bar. Her best friend from her childhood days, the Late Monica Sanchez of Sacaton got her in to work with her at the Super Mart. She was a natural people person; customers would always open up to her about things they were going through. Her warm smile was always a good welcome and it seemed like her smile would brighten anyone's day. She worked her way up to be a manager, running the snack bar and helping out where she could in the super mart, she also worked Food City in Casa Grande in the Bakery department, her last job she held was at the children's home (residential program for youth) in sacaton as a cook aid. Alberta enjoyed cooking for the kids there and often would say how she would love to just take the kids home and give them all a home if she could.

Alberta built her life and a home out in Upper Santan, she was an active member of the Upper Santan Presbyterian Church. She would help run service, cook and clean. Also, she was one of the children's Sunday school teachers. Later on, she helped with the youth group that would go out and minister through song, out in the Gila River Indian Community and neighboring tribal communities.

When Alberta wasn't working, she was home caring for her family, visiting friends and family. She was always thinking of others, she was always making food boxes for anyone who was in need. She would look in her refrigerator, getting leftovers and taking them to someone who was in need or who would enjoy a home cooked meal. Alberta was known for her chumuth (tortillas), tamales and other homemade foods she learned to make from her Late Mother in-law Pam Pedro.

Alberta took joy in caring for her children and grandchildren. She always wanted a daughter, and she was blessed with two granddaughters, Ella and Charlotte Kisto from her son Kennard and his girlfriend Apil Bahe of Blackwater.

Her kind and warm nature was always drawing people to her, especially children. She was auntie and grandma to many kids who got attached to her.

Alberta is survived by her spouse of 45 years, three sons, one brother, three sisters, and many nephews and nieces and many grandchildren. she is proceeded in death by her father Jonah Dixon, mother Marilynn Sunna, Brothers Erine Dixon and George (Tony) Anderson, Sisters Gwendalynn Histia, Janet Dixon, Sheriy Willington, Faye Willington and Terry Willington.

Alberta loved cooking and talking with people about her faith. She would share how the Lord helped her overcome obstacles and trials. She had overcome a lot, she was diagnosed with bone cancer but was healed, even the oncologist that was working with her was baffled, Alberta simply replied that's my lord taking care of me... she had a number of surgeries but would bounce back.

Alberta enjoyed cooking and found joy and happiness talking and visiting with family and friends. Mostly she loved her family, whether blood related or if she just claimed you as family Alberta’s loving kind giving selfless nature knew no bounds. When her family or someone in her community was in need or without something. Alberta always seemed to be there, with a smile, kind words, food or just to sit and help out in any way she could.

When she wasn't helping someone, she took joy going with her spouse Kenneth and her granddaughters shopping. She loved going to the swap meet but always found things for others...

Alberta was brought home under hospice care June 30th, 2023. She was surrounded by family and friends when she took her last breath... Alberta entered into rest July 8th, 2023.What a blessing to be surrounded by her loved ones, closing her eyes in death and to open them in heaven seeing her lord and savor welcoming her home with a crowed of all those who went on before her. Truly she left a lasting impression on the hearts of all who came into her life. she will be missed dearly but will be watching over her loved ones...