Grace Ellen Mixon, age 76, was called home to be with our Lord on Tuesday, December 21, 2021. That evening, her son, Gene, who was unable to visit due to illness, FaceTimed his mom, prayed, reminisced, and told her how much he loved her. Grace had longed to hear her son’s voice before she left her earthly home. Even though she was unable to talk or open her eyes, a tear ran down her cheek as her son said his last goodbye. Her heart was full. Several hours later, her daughters, Lora and Ellen, sat at her bedside, holding her hand and whispering words of love, as she took her final breath in this life. Tears of sadness were shed, but her family rejoiced in the fact she was finally home with her Heavenly Father and once again would be holding hands with her sweetheart.
Grace Ellen was born to John and Selma Carlson on August 17, 1945, at Providence Hospital on Capitol Hill in Seattle, Washington. She had an older sister, Martha Elaine, who was eight days shy from celebrating her first birthday when Grace was born. As they grew older, this would play a special part in the two sisters’ lives. Once August 17 passed and Grace turned another year older, Martha and Grace would have their picture taken, the significance being that the two sisters were the same age for eight days each year. Martha never let the sun go down without capturing this special memory on film. On February 26, 1947, Grace was blessed with a baby sister, Carol Ann; they became lifelong best friends and two peas in a pod. Grace’s childhood memories were centered around her growing up years in Richmond Beach. For a time, her family lived in a one-room tent on the property on which their home was being built. Grace’s dad, along with Grandpa Chris Holmgren and several uncles, worked tirelessly to complete the family’s forever home that would be sold 65 years later, after Grace’s mom was called home.
A memory Grace enjoyed looking back on included her sisters and neighborhood friends. The kids would walk to the beach in anticipation of running down their favorite hill. Once they reached the steep hill, it was a race to the bottom! Grace’s excitement in retelling the story over the years was so descriptive that you felt as if you were running side by side with her, catching air, with your legs moving faster than your body. Those were her words. All who were lucky enough to listen to her relive that cherished time have a permanent video reel in their mind of sweet little Grace, carefree, tall, and blonde. If only we could add her little girl laugh to that priceless video! Grace also looked back fondly on trips with her mom and sisters to downtown Seattle, where they visited Frederick & Nelson and The Bon Marché. There were also family trips into Ballard on the weekends.
When Grace spoke of yesteryear, her grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins were the main focus, along with her parents and sisters. Grace was raised to cherish and appreciate family, and she did so throughout her life, holding family close and loving deeply. She was fortunate to be born into a Christian family. She spoke fondly of sitting in the church pew as a child, listening to her grandpa, Chris Holmgren, speak on Sunday morning. The same pew that Grace sat in on Sunday mornings held family and friends who witnessed her baptism, her confirmation, and her marriage to her sweet husband, Donald Wright Mixon. Grace was a lifelong member of the Apostolic Lutheran Church of Seattle, which was originally located in Ballard and later moved to Shoreline in the early 1970s.
In 1964 Grace met her future husband at Sunset Sportswear on First Avenue in downtown Seattle. She and Don were both employees at Sunset, working on different floors. Don recounted his first sighting of Grace throughout his life, beaming more each time he told the story. During his lunch, he looked out the window and saw a tall, slender, beautiful girl walking across the street. He would finally meet her in the elevator—a girl with long brunette hair, a pretty smile, and a fitted wool coat. One day, while in the elevator, Don worked up the courage to ask Grace on a date. He was so excited that she had accepted his offer that he ran out of gas on his way home from work that evening. That first date turned into many more, which turned into the day they exchanged their wedding vows, January 29, 1966. The next day, their lifelong journey together began with a cross-country road trip to meet Grace’s in-laws in Fitzgerald, Georgia.
Grace and Don’s love would continue to grow as they added three more to their family tree. Their firstborn, Gene Wright, was born on November 13, 1966. Following her big brother, Lora Lee arrived on August 21, 1969. Trying to keep up, Ellen Marie showed up on June 30, 1972. Grace was a natural mom; she had the tenderness, love, and touch that would keep her children’s hearts warm until she took her last breath. She showed her love in so many everyday moments. If the kids woke up in the middle of the night with an earache, she would heat oil on the stove, lay their head in her lap, and gently pour the warm oil into the aching ear. The oil was only part of the remedy; her soft hands rubbing their ear and over their face was the magic. Her arm never seemed to tire when giving back scratches or playing with their hair. When stomachs were upset, she offered cream of rice and comfort. She made each child their special birthday cake every year, always knew what gifts to buy, and made holidays memorable. The treasured memories and loving heart of Mom will forever be under lock and key in the hearts of Gene, Lora, and Ellen—a priceless gift that will keep these three moving forward together, in love, until the day they feel the warmth of her hug once again.
Grandkids and great-grandkids opened up another space in Grace’s heart. She gave more love, hugs, and wet kisses freely. Her favorite time spent with all her babies was snuggling time. Ma’s arm only seemed to grow stronger for her famous back scratches. Watching Disney movies, coloring, and going to the Dollar Store were activities her grandkids enjoyed doing with their Ma. She wanted them to know they could talk to her about anything; they knew this and would sit side by side or call on the phone over the years to chat about exciting news or struggles they were facing. The great-grandkids enjoyed surrounding her as she scrolled through her many pictures. Pictures were the second best way to be connected to all her babies.
Grace had several facets to her life. She was a beyond-devoted employee during her 20 years at Crista Ministries. She was hired as a cart aid in the nursing facility and retired as the supervisor of the kitchen. Grace was a talented cook and baker. Her secret? Homemade goodness, pounds of butter, and perfection. In her younger years, flower gardening was a time for her to escape and quiet her thoughts. Watering was her favorite part of watching the garden grow. Her passion for indoor plants and flowers grew in her later years. Reading a good book, perusing magazines and catalogs, crocheting baby blankets for her great grandkids, knitting her special dishcloths for friends and family, shopping and browsing the stores, watching true-crime TV shows and HGTV, listening to and singing gospel songs, drinking Coke, eating donuts and sweets—these are things that flood our minds when thinking of a few of Grace’s likes and enjoyments. Grace was an extremely strong lady, emotionally and physically. She fought and overcame so many health obstacles throughout her life, but her faith in God still stayed strong.
Grace was a kind soul, a sweetheart, a good listener, a calming presence, and a soothing voice; but as we all are, she was also a sinner. She was a sinner who believed that Jesus Christ died on the cross for her sins and those of all other believers. This is what made Grace a safe harbor for those who needed to unload a guilty conscience or to ask for forgiveness. She didn’t pass judgement and always had a way of making you feel at peace. Our world will forever have an empty space without our mom, Ma, Princess Grace, sister, cousin, and friend; but the impression she left on us will forever be held near to our hearts, and we will feel her love until we meet again.
Grace Ellen Mixon is survived by her son, Gene Mixon, of Benton City, WA; daughter Lora Wicks (Ed) of Duvall, WA; daughter Ellen Bynum of Bothell, WA; granddaughters Victoria Ashley Matson (Dwight), Alexandra Catherine Somero (John), and Natalie Grace Boling (Dylan); grandsons Alanzo John Wright Mixon, Owen Chesley Brooks, Dietrich Riley Brooks, and Maston Scott Bynum; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Grace is also survived by her sister Carol Johnson (Ben) of Astoria, OR; four sisters-in-law; one brother-in-law; several nieces and nephews (in-laws included), many grandnieces and grandnephews, and countless cousins.
Grace was preceded in death by Donald Wright Mixon, her husband of 55 years; her father and mother, John and Selma Carlson; her father- and mother-in-law, Alonzo and Thelma Mixon; and her sister Martha Carlson. Her daughter-in-law, Aurora Mixon, passed away one month after Grace.
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