WS Chronicle

By Judie Holcomb-Pack

It was no run-of-the-mill birthday party that Trinity Glen threw for one of their residents on Tuesday, Feb. 26. There were happy birthday signs, balloons and a beautiful cake waiting for Mamie Mixon as she arrived at the Internet Café to celebrate her 100th birthday.

Dressed in an elegant black outfit with black and gold shoes, pearl earrings and gold necklace, Mixon was ready to enjoy her special day. Daughters Carolyn Clickscale and Lynda Epps and grandson David Clinkscale were there to help her celebrate. Her son Lawrence had his flight cancelled due to bad weather and couldn’t attend, but planned to come a few days later.

Staff from Trinity Glen came by to offer birthday wishes and WXII stopped by to film the festivities. To add to the occasion, Mayor Allen Joines issued a proclamation in honor of Mixon’s 100th birthday.

Mixon’s daughter Lynda described her mother as always being “the life of the party.” She said there was always music and dancing growing up and that her mother and father were quite the accomplished jitterbug dancers. Lynda told about taking her mother on a surprise cruise for her 75th birthday. Lynda picked her up, telling her they were going on a ride. Then she told her they were getting on a plane, her first trip by air. She thought her mother would be a little nervous, but she quickly informed her she wanted to “sit by the window so I can see!” Then later on the cruise to the Bahamas, her mother dressed up for the evening meals and enjoyed dancing to the band.

Older daughter Carolyn Clinkscale also mentioned how much her parents loved to dance. She said her mother also loved working in the garden so much they nicknamed her “The Earthworm.” She said, “Her carefree attitude has kept her young at heart.”

What Mixon is most known for is her love of children. In Cleveland, Ohio, where she lived until 1999 when she moved to Winston-Salem, she spent many years caring for neighborhood children. In the 1940s and 50s, there were no daycare centers like there are today, so Mixon opened her home to the neighborhood children, caring for them, playing games, reading stories, and of course, sharing her love of music and dancing.

David Clinkscale said his fondest memories of his grandparents are spending time with them and especially going fishing. He said, “They were always there for me,” and recalled once waking up in the middle of the night with a swollen jaw. He called his grandmother at 3 a.m. and she and his grandfather were there in 15 minutes. “She was there for me and I want to be here for her.”

Mamie Mixon recalled that in addition to her love of dancing, she loved playing baseball and she could hold her own with the boys. She also loved to travel, especially to Kentucky where her grandparents lived.

As the party wound down, Mamie Mixon was still smiling and enjoying her special day.

She wears her 100 years very well.