HIXSON, Tenn. (September 28, 2026) — Hixson High School made Homecoming history this year by crowning its first-ever Duke and Duchess, and two residents of Morning Pointe of Hixson Assisted Living & Memory Care had the honor of being part of the celebration.
Residents Edie Walker and Robert “Bob” Copeland were named Hixson High’s inaugural Duke and Duchess during the school’s Homecoming festivities, marking a special evening of community, family and connection across generations.
For both Edie and Bob, the honor carried a personal connection to Hixson High that goes beyond the Homecoming field. Each has children who graduated from the school, making their participation in the celebration a meaningful connection between their families and the Hixson community.
For Bob, the evening also brought a particularly special full-circle moment. His daughter, Lucia Copeland, was crowned Hixson High’s Homecoming Queen in 1974 and Miss Hixson in 1975. More than five decades later, Bob returned to the school as part of another Homecoming tradition, this time as Hixson High’s first Duke.
Edie was escorted onto the field by Bill Parker, while Samantha Parker, Community Relations Director at Morning Pointe of Hixson, joined the celebration to support the residents and share in the special occasion.
“We were so honored to be included in such a special night for Hixson High School,” said Parker. “Edie and Bob have such meaningful ties to this community, and seeing them celebrated on the same field where their families have been part of the Hixson community for generations was incredibly special. It was a wonderful example of what can happen when generations come together to celebrate the people who help make a community what it is.”
Morning Pointe of Hixson Executive Director Robin Jackson said the Homecoming celebration is an example of the community’s commitment to helping residents remain connected to the people, places and traditions that are important to them.
“At Morning Pointe, we love seeing our residents continue to be part of the community around them,” said Jackson. “Hixson High School has been a wonderful partner to us, with students and faculty regularly contributing to our volunteer network. To see that connection celebrated in such a special way at Homecoming was fantastic, and we are grateful to Hixson High for including Edie and Bob in this milestone.”
Morning Pointe of Hixson is one of nine Morning Pointe communities serving residents and families across the Tennessee Valley and North Georgia. The community offers assisted living and memory care for seniors and their families.
For Edie and Bob, the evening was more than a Homecoming ceremony. It was a chance to celebrate their connection to Hixson, their families and a community they have been part of for generations.
About Morning Pointe Senior Living
Morning Pointe Senior Living, headquartered in Ooltewah, Tennessee, was founded in 1997 by healthcare entrepreneurs Greg A. Vital and J. Franklin Farrow, Morning Pointe Senior Living operates assisted living and Alzheimer’s memory care communities in four southeastern states, including GA, IN, KY & TN. For more information, visit morningpointe.com.
The philanthropic arm of Morning Pointe Senior Living is the Morning Pointe Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to provide clinical scholarships and caregiver support.
