Obituary of David Whigham Mixson

Mr. David Whigham Mixson, age 81, of Ozark, died Thursday, August 16, 2007, in Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Dothan following a short illness. Funeral services will be 2:00 P. M. Sunday, August 19, 2007 from Skipperville United Methodist Church with Reverend Freddie L. McCain, Dr. Rex Mixson, Bishop B. Michael Watson, and Dr. Jerry Dooling officiating. Interment will follow in Skipperville Cemetery, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. Mr. Mixson's body will be placed in the Church one hour prior to service time Sunday. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 4:00 P. M. until 6:00 P. M. Saturday afternoon. A native and lifelong resident of the Skipperville/Ozark community, Whigham was born to Mr. Ralph and Mrs. Foy Whigham Mixson at Skipperville on December 28, 1925. He was a graduate of Dale County High School in Ozark, and attended Troy State University. He received a bachelor of science degree in agriculture from Auburn University, where he was a member of Alpha Zeta fraternity, Gamma Sigma Delta, and Phi Kappa Phi honorary societies. After graduating from Auburn University, he worked for several years in Florida and North Carolina in dairy farm operations and then returned to his beloved Skipperville, where he pursued his dream of developing cattle farm and forestry operations that he enjoyed for many years. He deeply appreciated the land that provided him both meaningful work and genuine pleasure. While successfully achieving this goal, he also worked diligently for many years as a Publications Specialist for aviation contractors at Fort Rucker before retiring in 1992. Whigham also served his country in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. A lifelong, active member of the Skipperville United Methodist Church, he served in major leadership roles, including Chairperson of the Finance and Stewardship Committee for many years, Chairperson of the Parsonage Committee, member of the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee, Nominating Committee, and Delegate to Annual Conference. He was also a member of the Administrative Council and the Fellowship Sunday School Class for many years. He was always a strong supporter of the total ministry of the church. The United Methodist Children's Home was one of his favorite charities. Noted for his vision, perseverance, hard work, gratitude, and faithful service to his church, family, and community, Whigham's life reflected many loves: his country, his community, his church, his family, and especially his beloved wife, Imogene. He was exceedingly grateful for these loves that brought him so much joy and happiness. Survivors include his devoted wife of 34 years, Dr. Imogene Mathison Mixson of Ozark; two sisters, Mrs. Evelyn Parker of Enterprise and Mrs. Kathryn Piper of Dothan; one brother and two sisters-in-law, Dr. Andrew Mixson and his wife, Sara Jane of Hoover and Mrs. Sarah Mixson of Ozark. A number of nieces, nephews, and cousins as well as a host of dear friends also survive. He was predeceased by his mother, Mrs. Foy Whigham Mixson; his father, Mr. Ralph Mixson; one brother, Mr. Harold E. Mixson; two brothers-in-law, Mr. Yancey Parker and Mr. Bill Piper; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Mr. Tom and Mrs. Myrtis Mathison. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Skipperville United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 235, Skipperville, Alabama 36374, or to the United Methodist Children's Home, P. O. Box 830, Selma, Alabama 35702-0830. Active pallbearers will be Jack Harris, Gipson Kingry, Clyde Lomanack, Timmy McDaniel, David Mixson, Michael Mixson, Wendell Payne, and Neal Powell. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Fellowship Sunday School Class and Administrative Council of Skipperville United Methodist Church. Service Information