Harry Mixon, 84, of Ocilla, died Saturday, July 20, 2013, at his residence under the care of Hospice of Tift Area.
Funeral services will be held 2 PM, Tuesday, July 23, 2013, at the Ocilla Baptist Church with the Rev. Rob Dowdle and the Rev. David Barton officiating. His grandson, Dr. Brian DeLoach, will give the eulogy. Interment will follow in the Brushy Creek Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-9 Monday evening at the funeral home in Ocilla.
Mr. Mixon was born November 11, 1928, in Ocilla, to the late Warren and Martha Van Sutton Mixon. A 1946 graduate of Ocilla High School, he attended ABAC and South Georgia College. He earned his Bachelors degree in political science from the University of Georgia as well as his Juris Doctorate from UGA Law School in 1959. Returning to his home, Mr. Mixon practiced law in Irwin County for almost 55 years, serving alongside his father, Warren, and later serving with his son, Warren. His wife, Lila, was also a fixture in the office of Mixon and Mixon. Mr. Mixon served eight years in the Georgia General Assembly and was very instrumental, along with his Ben Hill County counterpart Brad Dorminy, in locating the technical school currently known as Wiregrass Georgia Technical College in the community. A lifelong member of Ocilla Baptist Church, he was a former deacon and 50-plus year teacher of the Steadfast Seekers Sunday school class.
Mr. Mixon had a passion for Irwin County, its history and families, and was well known for telling stories of trials and happenings throughout the years. He was very involved in the community as a member of Ocilla Lodge #134, F.&A.M., a fifty-plus year member of Hasan Shrine in Albany, and a member, past-president, and Paul Harris Fellow in the Ocilla Rotary Club. Mr. Mixon was a member of the Georgia Bar Association, the Tifton Bar association, and city attorney for Ocilla. The Ocilla-Irwin County Chamber of Commerce bestowed upon him its highest award, the Lifetime Achievement Award for 2009. He was a former director of First State Bank and served on the advisory board of Planters First. Mr. Mixon loved reading, particularly his Bible, and he enjoyed the beauty of nature and spending time at the farm, along with a deep love for his wife, children, grandchildren, and extended family.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years: Lila Lee Mixon of Ocilla; daughter: Sharon & Lee DeLoach of Statesboro; son: Warren & Lisa Mixon of Ocilla; five grandchildren: Brook & Trey Drawdy, Brian & Holly DeLoach, Rob Mixon and his fiancé Brandy Harper, Ben & Therese Mixon, and Lea & Todd Pate; ten great-grandchildren: Lee Drawdy, Lily Drawdy, Mixon DeLoach, Hayden Mixon, Destin Mixon, Dawson Mixon, Tate Melton, Fisher Mixon, Sailor Mixon, and Fain Pate; as well as one niece and several nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson: Harry Russell “Russ” Mixon; and three sisters: Coleen Mathis, Warrena Matthews, and Virginia Claire Hurt.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials in lieu of flowers may send them to Ocilla Baptist Church, P.O. Box 101, Ocilla, GA 31774, to the Brushy Creek Cemetery Fund, c/o Sherry Schalch, 537 Brushy Creek Road, Ocilla, GA 31774, or to Hospice of Tift Area, P.O. Box 747, Tifton, GA 31793.