Mrs. Dorothea Grace Mixon

Early Sunday morning on March 5, 2023, Dorothea Grace Mixon ascended to her eternal home in glory after living a life filled with abundant love and compassion for others. Dorothea was born on Friday, June 15, 1962 to Albert and Anne Roberson in Columbus, Georgia. After graduating from E. E. Smith High School in 1980, she enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where she served as an aircraft engine technician. It was during Dorothea's four-year service that she met and married the love of her life and fellow Marine, Mark D. Mixon, on March 7, 1983. Dorothea and Mark have since spent the past 40 years building a life and legacy of enduring love and excellence together. Dorothea and Mark went on to have four children, Mark "DeWayne," Racheal, Matthew, and Rebekah. Dorothea indulged in all things involving her children. She spent countless hours teaching, sewing unique clothing, roller skating, studying Spanish and Korean, singing, and dancing with her children. True to her nature as a woman of many talents, Dorothea earned her black belt in Tae Kwon Do under the instruction of U.S. Olympic Coach and dear friend, Grandmaster Myong Sok Namkung Mayes. One of the fondest aspects of DeWayne, Racheal, Matthew, and Rebekah's childhood was practicing and competing in Tae Kwon Do tournaments alongside their encouraging mother. As design by God, Dorothea entered her most cherished season of life beginning in 2011 when she and Mark became grandparents to Amihr, Imani, and Natalia. From that moment onward, Dorothea could always be found hosting art sessions and tea parties, playing math games, reading, tickling, skating, laughing, reclaiming the highest score in Galaga, constructing puzzles, playing UNO, working in her luscious garden, and conducting science experiments with her beloved grand babies. A distinguishing aspect of Dorothea's legacy is defined by her never-ending commitment to life-long learning. Dorothea earned an associate degree from Fayetteville Technical Community College, a bachelor’s degree in education from Fayetteville State University, and a master's degree in Middle Grades Education from Fayetteville State University. Her dedication to education is exemplified through the lasting impact she has made on the lives of countless students, parents, and colleagues as a beloved National Board Certified Teacher at Pine Forest Middle School. Through the use of innovative instructional strategies and compassionate concern for the whole child, Dorothea cultivated a learning environment that supported creativity, curiosity, and a deep sense of belonging and value for every student who entered her classroom. Dorothea's life was unshakably grounded in her unwavering faith and devotion to God. In fulfillment of this commitment, she joyfully served as a Choir Director, Children's Church Teacher, Praise Dancer, and Sunday School Teacher at St. Jude Missionary Baptist Church and Clearview Missionary Baptist Church. For more than 30 years, Dorothea enthusiastically spread the Gospel of the Lord to all with whom she came in contact and exemplified the true meaning of God's unconditional love for the world. Dorothea's lifelong legacy will endure through the love that remains with her dear parents Albert and Anne Roberson, beloved husband Mark Mixon, four adoring children – Mark Mixon, II, Racheal Brooks, Ph.D., Matthew Mixon, CISA, MCIPM, and Rebekah Mixon, M.S., three treasured grandchildren – Amihr Brooks, Imani Brooks, and Natalia Mixon, two children-in-love – Tenahr Brooks and Maurice Byrd, four loving siblings – Carolyn Roberson, Estalinda Roberson, Adriene Roberson Dallas, and Lawrence Roberson, countless nieces, nephews, friends, colleagues, students, her lovingly adopted cul-de-sac family, and her dear sister-friend Mutsuko Pittman.

Mrs. Dorothea Grace Mixon

June 15, 1962 - March 5, 2023