TIFTON — Tift County will gather to say goodbye to an icon as Eunice Lastinger Mixon, known throughout the state as “Miss Eunice,” is laid to rest on Sunday, Dec. 2.

Born Eunice Lastinger in 1931, she grew up a farmer’s daughter in Tift County until she married Albert Mixon in 1948, becoming a farmer’s wife.

Although Albert passed in 1998, he was ever-present in Miss Eunice’s conversations, often sharing stories and anecdotes about him.

Their son, Jimmy, said that after he was born she had expressed interest in going to college and that Albert supported her in a time when most farmers wanted their wives to be on the farm helping out.

A 2007 article about her published by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Miss Eunice is quoted as saying that “when she expressed to Albert a desire to go to college after the birth of their two sons, Johnny and Jimmy, he declared: “There’s no better time than now, girl.’”

Miss Eunice attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Norman Park Junior College, Valdosta State University and earned a master’s degree and specialist degree in education from the University of Georgia. She came back to Tifton and taught eighth grade science and high school biology, chemistry and physics for 30 years. She was also an instructor at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

She taught many people from Tift County throughout her tenure, most of whom she remembered well even as they aged.

Miss Eunice took up another career in politics when Democratic gubernatorial candidate George Busbee appointed her as his Tift County campaign chairman in 1974.

She was a lifelong supporter of the Democratic party, serving as a delegate to the 1988 and 1992 National Democratic Conventions and as a member of the Georgia Democratic Executive Committee. She was also appointed to and served on many boards and committees throughout the years.

Jimmy said that his father, Albert, was unfailingly supportive of Miss Eunice’s activities.

“He didn’t much care for politics, but he showed up when he was needed,” Jimmy said.

The Mixons were famous for opening their home to the influential and connected as well as friends from around the state.

Debbie Mixon, Ms. Eunice’s daughter-in-law, said that she knew everyone in the capitol.

“Even the guy who opened the gate, he knew her by name,” Debbie said.

After a well-lived life, Ms. Eunice passed on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 22, surrounded by family.

Jimmy and Debbie said they were with her as she took her last breath.

“She had wanted her funeral to be on a Sunday,” said Debbie. “The last few days, she kept asking me what the day was and looking at my calendar. It was like she was waiting.”

Friends from around the state remember Miss Eunice fondly.

“Everyone was Miss Eunice’s friend,” said Representative Penny Houston in an email. “She showed respect and caring to all. My friendship with Miss Eunice began when she was working at the Capital. Instead of the word “working,” welcoming guests to the Capital would be more appropriate.

“Only rural Georgians would understand, she could “talk to a fence post.”  It was through these caring conversations that lasting friendships were developed.

“This state has been blessed to have Miss Eunice as one of their citizens and I have been blessed by her friendship.”

Miss Eunice had friends everywhere and always made time for them. She was full of knowledge, stories and anecdotes and shared them generously.

“Eunice was a very special friend,” said Katy Podagrosi, who is a member of the Ladies of the Round Table, a lunch group that meets once a month. “She and I went out to eat often, sometimes to area towns. No matter where we went, invariably, at least one of her former students would come by our table. They were so very happy to see her and I was astonished that she always remembered their names and recalled something special about them.

“She went with me to area museums and art shows and delighted in sharing her knowledge of local and area history. She toured Lawrence Cemetery with me. My great-grandfather J.J.F. Goodman, is buried there. She told me of events related to my family’s history that I had not known before.”

Miss Eunice was unfailingly gracious, but also not afraid to get things done, as the famous “parasol story” shows.

The story was referenced in an article by The Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Miss Eunice was famous for her parasols, which she carried to protect her complexion.

“On the farm, I wore a hat, but it squished my hair so when I went out in public, I took one [a parasol],” she was quoted as saying.

According to the article, former President Bill Clinton, then the Democratic presidential candidate, “once took the parasol, thinking it a gift for Hillary. The Southern belle allowed it, but then dispatched Sen. Max Cleland to get it back. He did.”

Mike Chason, director of public relations emeritus at ABAC, said that Miss Eunice was “definitely one of a kind.”

“Miss Eunice was just as much at home in a South Georgia cotton patch as she was under the Gold Dome in Atlanta,” Chason said. “Political conversations were her passion but she could also wax eloquently about life with Albert in the agricultural sector. She won the Distinguished Alumnus Award at ABAC in 2004 and richly deserved it.”

The Eunice Lastinger Mixon Scholarship was established in her name at ABAC.

“ABAC was so fortunate to have Eunice Mixon as one of our alumni,” said Dr. Deidre Mercer Martin, director of advancement. “Charming, smart, witty and fun are all words I would use to describe this one-of-a-kind woman of influence. I was so fortunate when I came back home to South Georgia to have her take me under her wing and introduce me to folks everywhere we went — from the Sunbelt Expo to local Chamber events. She was very special, and ABAC is extremely proud to have a scholarship in her name to benefit students for years to come as we honor her memory.”

Miss Eunice impacted people while they were in Tifton and even after they left.

“Miss Eunice was one of the first people I met upon my arrival in Tifton,” said Angye Morrison, former editor for The Tifton Gazette. “She immediately made me feel welcome. She insisted on taking me to lunch, and it became a regular thing. She was an absolute delight to talk with; always a sparkling conversationalist. I could count on a phone call at least once a week to discuss something she’d seen in the paper. I found myself looking forward to those calls.

“Given the opportunity, I would gladly have sat at her feet for hours to listen to her talk of her life’s adventures. From her stories of her beloved husband, Albert, to her stories of hosting meals at her home, to her stories of political escapades, it was all so much fun to listen to. And she was so witty in her observations. I loved how humble and honest she was, but if she ever cut deep, she always quickly gave you a wink and a smile that somehow made it all better.

“Miss Eunice told me that I had come into her life at just the right time. I felt the same way. She was just the right amount of sass and southern gentility that I needed — that we all needed. She gave me the best advice I’ve ever gotten in my life. She told me, “People can’t get your goat if they don’t know where it’s tied up.” Truer words were never spoken.”

Tifton-Tift County Public Library Director Vicki Horst, who knew Miss Eunice because she sat on the library board for many years, said that the library, and Tifton, will feel the loss of Miss Eunice.

“Tifton has lost a fantastic advocate, a good lady and a great friend,” said Horst.

The service for Miss Eunice will be Sunday, Dec. 2 at First Baptist Church of Tifton at 3 p.m. The family will receive friends Sunday from 1-3 p.m. in the First Baptist Church social hall.