Legacy of Edith Hixson Reflects Personal and Regional Insurance Dynamics

Edith Louise Karr Hixson, a long-time resident of Lake Charles, Louisiana, passed away at the age of 85 on December 11, 2025. Born in 1940 in Amarillo, Texas, Edie began her career in the insurance industry as a secretary at Magnolia Life Insurance after her family relocated to Lake Charles in 1959. This connection to the insurance sector marked the beginning of her exposure to the industry, where she met her future husband, James Hixson III. The couple married in 1962 and later returned to Lake Charles after James completed mortuary school. Edie balanced her family life with personal interests such as painting, quilting, and antique shopping, frequently visiting large flea markets and traveling to notable destinations including Yellowstone National Park and international locations in Scotland and England. Edie's community involvement was significant, particularly within the First Baptist Church of Lake Charles, where she contributed to various committees, Christmas pageants, the Women's Missionary Union, and Vacation Bible School. Her contributions reflected a strong commitment to service and community engagement. The impact of Hurricane Laura in August 2020 profoundly affected the Hixson family, destroying their home and prompting their relocation to the Austin, Texas area to be nearer to family. This event underscores the broader implications of natural disasters on personal lives and property, relevant to insurance risk and disaster recovery sectors. Edie's life story intersects with themes of resilience, community service, and the personal dimensions of insurance industry professionals, offering insights into the human side of insurance claims and disaster preparedness. The narrative encapsulates both the personal history and regional aspects of insurance implications tied to extreme weather events in the Gulf Coast region.