Beverly Ann Hixon was born in Oklahoma City, OK on September 3, 1938 and passed away September 27, 2012 at the age of 74. She attended Stand Watie Elementary, Jackson Jr. and Capitol Hill Sr. High Schools. She married shortly after high school and had two sons. For a time, they lived and worked in Talihina, OK. This was a very happy time for her, but eventually, circumstances brought them back to Oklahoma City. In her thirties, after raising her sons, she went to work for First Western Savings & Loan where she was in various departments until rising to branch manager of the Shepherd Mall branch While there, in late 1977, she met Russell Hixon when she took his application for a mortgage loan. Several months later, Russell discovered that she was no longer married and, on a pretext, dropped by her office and renewed their acquaintance. They began dating in July, 1978 and were married March 17, 1979 on St Patrick's Day. Every year since that time, they have acquired a St. Pat figurine as part of their anniversary ritual. Beverly often joked about getting Russell's financial information before going out with him. (Considering his situation, the joke was probably on Beverly.) Beverly and Russell were polar opposites in many ways. She was outgoing, friendly, a good conversationalist and very comfortable in any social setting. He is a loner – quiet and shy. However, they enjoyed the same activities and became the loves of each others lives. They were together every day of the next 33 years except for the rare occasion when Russell was away for continuing education. While going through hundreds of pictures putting together a video of her life, Russell discovered that there were very few of them together - often there was just the two of them and they took pictures of each other. Alter managing the Quail Creek and Edmond branches, Beverly retired from First Western in 1980 and after a short layoff went to work as Russell's only employee in his Certified Public Accounting Practice- She worked as office manager, secretary and client bookkeeper until she began having health problems in 2008. Beverly had rarely been out of Oklahoma until 1977. In October, 1977 she had her first plane ride when she flew to New Orleans with her mother to see the "Treasures of Tutankhamun'' exhibit. From that time on, she developed a passion for Egyptian archeology that continued to the end of her life. Two years later, in June, 1979, she had her second and last plane ride when she and Russell flew to San Francisco on a belated honeymoon to once again see the "Treasures of Tutankhamun'' exhibit. Over the next few years, they traveled extensively by car primarily to Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas to see antebellum houses and Civil War battlefields. They also went to the “Ramesses the Great” ‘‘Pompeii", "Napoleon'', “Catherine the Great" and ''Titanic'' exhibits, beautiful zoos in Memphis, San Antonio and Oklahoma City and caverns in Texas and Kentucky. They acquired a mobile home on Shawnee Lake in the 1980's where Beverly could fish and Russell began sail boating. They sold it in 1992 and immediately regretted doing so. That same day they located and purchased a cabin and acquired ''Bubba', an 8 week old Yorkshire terrier. Beverly was an accomplished seamstress and made most of her own clothes for most of her life. She was also a talented artist and produced many beautiful watercolors that will be left to her children and grandchildren. She was a gourmet cook and often made up her own recipes or reproduced recipes of things she and Russell enjoyed when dining out (particularly Old Germany Restaurant dishes). Beverly was also very active in Messiah Lutheran Church for many years. She worked in mobile meals and Stephen Ministries and regularly attended a Bible study group. The Hixons currently have four turtles living in their back Yard - Baby and Studs for twenty plus years, a grown son, Spot and another son Beverly named Beauty for his colorful markings. They often come to the patio door for cantaloupe which they consider a delicacy. In the fall of 1992, Beverly saw four of Baby's eggs hatch a few hours before a freeze was expected. She brought them in the house and cared for them all winter. All four survived and in the spring they were taken to Shawnee Lake and released. There has been many other offspring that have left or been adopted out. Beverly also rescued a baby starling and a mockingbird that had fallen from their nest. She raised them to adulthood and released them. The starling was very wild, but the mockingbird was somewhat tame and after being released, came back two or three times. Besides Bubba, Beverly took in a stray female Dachshund named Sister. Both Bubba and Sister are gone now but were replaced by Angus, a Silkie Terrier puppy, in 1995.Angus has been Beverly's closest companion, particularly since her health problems began; he has been looking for her constantly since August 27th when she was hospitalized. Beverly loved her large family, including her former in-laws and, in turn was loved by them and everyone who knew her, for her quick mind, empathy and tremendous sense of humor. Most of her children and grandchildren were able to see Beverly before she passed away peacefully the night of September 27, 2012 with her husband Russell and niece Lori holding her hands. Her beautiful gray eyes were closed all day, but she opened them for the last time that morning when Pastor Marvin Henschel placed his hand on her forehead to give God's blessing She was preceded in death by her parents, Russell and Reba Zachary.She is survived by her sons Neal (wife Michelle) and Richard Lowther, sister Leora (husband Arthur) Pattillo, grandchildren, Brad (wife Therese) Lowther, Brandy (husband Scott) Davidson, Richard Lowther, Jr. and Ashley Lowther, step-son Arnn Hixon, seven great grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces. The family would like to thank all of the doctors, nurses, and therapists at Select Specialty and Mercy Hospitals and Mary Klinglesmith (neighbor and friend) who comforted Beverly and tried to keep her free from pain during the last five weeks of her life. Special thanks to her niece and best friend, Lori Shaw, who travelled hundreds of miles during the past year to spend time with Beverly and enrich the quality of her life. A memorial service will be held at Messiah Lutheran Church, 3600 Northwest Expressway, Oklahoma City on Monday October 8, 2012 at 2:OOPM. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Messiah Lutheran Church.
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