Rebecca Parker Mixon (Lansing)

Mrs. Rebecca Parker Mixon, age 84 years, left us unexpectedly after a very rewarding life on Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Lansing, Michigan. Affectionately known as Aunt Becky, she was born in St Joseph, a small town in the state of Louisiana, on May 14, 1936, to Celestine Watson Parker and Henry Parker. The youngest of nine (9) children, it was immediately obvious that this little girl was something special. She was insightful, goal-oriented, driven, hardworking, independent, and strong-willed on the one hand and dependable, caring, compassionate loving, generous, and nurturing on the other…….All traits instilled in her by her parents.

Rebecca attended the Tensas Parrish Public Schools in St. Joseph, Louisiana through graduation and in an excerpt from her own biography, she states:

…..”I never enjoyed, and in fact, had an intense hate for my first year in school. Receiving almost unbearable pressure from my parents I finally resolved that I had no alternative but to attend school and do my very best. Once I accepted this fact, I experienced no difficulty grasping the school work, continuing through elementary, junior and senior high school with a very good average, and graduating as the second highest-ranking student in my class…..”

Rebecca continued her education at Howard University earning her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Economics. She remained a lifetime financial supporter of the Tensas Parrish All Class Reunion, Howard University, other Institutions of Higher Education as well as other charitable organizations.

After graduation, Rebecca enjoyed a rewarding career working for the Department of Agriculture in Washington DC and the Department of Labor in Grand Rapids, Michigan as an EEO Compliance Specialist and Economist. Rebecca remained active in her profession. Her first college teaching position was at Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi followed by Florida A & M University in Tallahassee, Florida, and Michigan State University, where she taught graduate and undergraduate classes. Her love of books led her to become a published writer of fictional short stories. To remain active after retirement, she worked part-time as a receptionist at a prestigious law firm in Michigan and enjoyed the friendships she made during her tenure there.

Rebecca’s hobbies were gardening, bridge, playing word puzzles such as Sudoku and Scrabble, and reading. She read the Readers Digest, Time Magazine, National Geographic, and other periodicals on a regular basis and would call and discuss the articles with family and friends. In addition, she received a new stack of hardback books each week. She excelled in Bridge and was a longtime member of two local bridge clubs in Lansing and Detroit. Her garden was an attraction in the neighborhood and neighbors often remarked at how beautiful her flowers were.

Rebecca met the love of her life, Ernest Lee Mixon, in Lansing, Michigan. They were united in holy matrimony on December 18, 1975, and through that union, they became the proud parents of Bruce Kennard Mixon.

Rebecca professed Christ at an early age and was baptized at China Grove Baptist Church in St Joseph, Louisiana. She was a long-time member of Paradise Missionary Baptist Church in Lansing, Michigan where she attended services with her husband, Ernest and their son, Bruce.

It is impossible to pay tribute to Rebecca without recognizing the important role that education played in her life. Her love for reading, learning and traveling guided her actions, words, and deeds.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her only child, Bruce Kennard Mixon; seven grandchildren, Jordane Mixon, Jaylen Mixon, Iyanna Reid, Jahannah Walker, Jayda Bigelow, Timothy James Benson, and Christian Joel Silver; one great-grandchild, Elijah Marsh; two nieces, Celestine Yvonne Diggs-Smith, and Betty Diggs; nephew, John Diggs Jr; sister-in-law, Bernice Timmons, and many other nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

She went home to be with the Lord, welcomed by her parents, her eight (8) siblings, and her beloved husband, Earnest L. Mixon.


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