Millard (“MH”) Henry Hixon passed away peacefully, releasing him from the ravages of illness to receive eternal healing by the Great Physician, in whom MH expressed implicit trust.

 

In the recent past an oncologist at both the Chattanooga Oncology Center and at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville prescribed Chemotherapy treatments. Millard quietly looked at the respective physician and said, ‘None of us know what tomorrow will hold; however, I know WHO holds tomorrow. I decline to keep the best quality of life I can have while I am still alive.’

 

Millard’s wife, Helen Scott Hixon, and his step-daughter, Rachel Helen Robinson were at his

bedside at the time of passing. He is survived by his daughter, Karen Louise Hixon Phillips;

grandsons, Matthew Zane Dean (Lauren) and Zachariah Thomas Dean; step-daughter Rachel and

grandchildren, Price Arnold and Michaela Kathryn Robinson as well as numerous nieces and

nephews.

 

Millard was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Camp Hixon; father Luther Hobert Hixon and

mother, Lottie Louise Fischer Hixon; aunt, Joyce Rose; Uncle Luther Fischer; brother, James

Ralph Hixson and sister-in-law, Lucille Ingle Hixon; sister, Doris Jean Hixon McKaig and her

husband, William Henry McKaig; paternal grandparents, Millard Henry Hixon and Martha D.

Hixon; maternal grandparents, Gustavus D. Fischer (CO L ALA CAV Confederate States Army)

and Caroline Sutternein Fischer.

 

Millard was born in Valley Head AL, and then lived in Fort Payne where Millard delivered jugs

of fresh milk on his bicycle as young as age 11. His father sold their dairy farm and relocated to

TN. Millard graduated from Tyner High School (1950) He served in the United States Air Force

from January 2, 1951 to December 14, 1954. He completed Advanced Radio Mechanics at the

FEAF Consolidated Tech School; served at Scott Air Force Base; 6207 AC&W Squadron,

Hamilton AFB, California; and in the Philippines, before his Honorable Discharge at the

Headquarters 6520th Support Wing at Lawrence G. Hanscom Field, Bedford, Mass. A tour of

duty in the Philippines’ provided MH with the opportunity to travel to Tokyo and Hong Kong.

He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Chattanooga, and

became an Underwriter in the Railroad/Franchise Department of the Provident Life and Accident

Insurance Company for a couple of decades. Millard sang with the Provident Employees Choir.

 

Following retirement, MH maintained fellowship with cherished friends from Provident, and was

acting President of a Provident Retirees group. Vowing never to wear another tie after

retirement, Millard became a Driver, transporting vehicles for dealerships; traveling to Car

Auctions in Nashville and Atlanta with his Team, and talking Politics with his Buds when he

was not cheering the TN Vols, watching Golf or Basketball.

 

A day seldom passed that MH did not study the Holy Scripture. He was an avid reader, kept

abreast of world events, supported Ben Carson in his presidential Bid, and was accused of being

a Mike Huckaby junkie.

 

Millard took Matt and Zach to Swim Meets, tucked them in at night, and loved them immensely.

Later he opened his heart to two new grandchildren (along with their cats, dogs and a fish named

Elsa) who came into his life through his remarriage; enduring Soccer games in the rain,

maintaining attention at slow Softball practices; conducting Eclipse watching excursions and

earning the reputation of being the Ice Cream Man because he doled out scoops of ice cream

nearly every evening.

 

Five years ago, Silverdale Baptist celebrated its 125th anniversary. Millard was recognized as

having achieved the longest continuous membership in the church. Leadership manifested itself

in various capacities, including serving as Chairman of Deacons, Sunday School Superintendent,

and Youth Leader. He led staff search committees and was active with the PrimeTimers.

Millard joined in selling Bonds to raise money for Silverdale Baptist’s Sanctuary as well as the

first education building. MH loved music. He sang in the Adult Choir and with a Gospel

Quartet. Fellow Silverdale Men’s Softball team members dubbed him ‘Lightnin’. He prioritized

meeting with the Silverdale Men’s Fellowship Group and eagerly anticipated gathering with the

men and women of the Reed/Bragg/Jacobs Small Group every Sunday morning.

Memorial contributions may be made to Silverdale Baptist Church or Hillsdale College

(Imprimis Digest). The family expresses gratitude for the tender care provided by Amedisys

Hospice.

 

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, Jan. 15, from 5-8 p.m., at Ponders Funeral Home,

4203 Brainerd Road. 

 

Millard will lie in repose at Silverdale Baptist Church on Wednesday, Jan. 16, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

 

A celebration of this extraordinary man’s life will follow at 1 p.m. in the chapel. The church is at 7236 Bonny Oaks Drive. Senior Adult Pastor Eddie Wilson will officiate, assisted by Reverend Oscar Bowling, Pastor of Wings Christian Fellowship, West Chester OH.

 

Interment will be at Chattanooga National Cemetery, 1200 Bailey Ave. at 2:30 p.m. Military rites will be performed by the American Legion Post 95 of East Ridge.