John H. Nix Sr.

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, March 6, 2012

April 8, 1918 – March 3, 2012

NATCHEZ — Services for Mr. John H. Nix Sr., 93, of Natchez, who died Saturday, March 3, 2012, in Natchez, will be at 2 p.m. today at Washington Baptist Church with the Rev. Carl Smith officiating.

Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery with military honors under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time today at the church.

Mr. Nix was born April 8, 1918, the son of John Samuel Nix and Dixie Reynolds Nix.

Mr. Nix was a member of Washington Baptist Church for 55 years. He was a member of the Brotherhood and served on a number of committees. He had a strong faith, loved his Savior and lived for Him. Mr. Nix always demonstrated his faith while raising his family and in all he did. He was a blessing to all that knew him.

Mr. Nix was a veteran of World War II and served in the armed forces for five years. He displayed courage, sound judgment and initiative in his duties as first sergeant, Headquarters Company, 6th Armored Division, U.S. Army. Mr. Nix was awarded the Bronze Star Medal while serving his country in France, Luxembourg and Belgium.

Mr. Nix officiated high school basketball and football for 27 years throughout Mississippi and Louisiana. He was instrumental in helping organize the Miss-Lou Basketball Association which recruited and trained officials. Mr. Nix retired from Armstrong Tire and Rubbery Company with 32 years of service and was a member of Armstrong’s Local 303 Retiree Club.

Mr. Nix was the last survivor of eight children. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Camille Wilkerson, Myrtle Fenn and Louise Chambliss; and four brothers, T.J. Nix, Bilbo Nix, Percy Nix and Sam Nix.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Tommie Jean Pickett Nix; four children, Larry Phillip Nix, and wife, Ruth, of Brandon, John Harry Nix Jr., and wife, Karen, of Lafayette, La., Donna Jean Nix Fitzgerald, and husband, Don, of Cleveland and David Glen Nix, and wife, Cindy, of Waxahachie, Texas; nine grandchildren, Lori Brooks and husband, Todd, Corey Fitzgerald, Keith Fitzgerald and wife, Karen, all of Brandon, Chesney Wilson and husband, Bob, of Columbus, Ga., Destin Fitzgerald of Cleveland, Angela Nix of Laguna Vista, Texas, Rosemary Stegall and husband, Brannon, of Mansfield, Texas, Brad Nix and wife, Sarah, of Bellefont, Pa., and John Matthew Nix of Lafayette, La.; and seven great-grandchildren, Tristan McDaniel, Amelia Fitzgerald, Braeden John Nix, James Nix, Abigail Stegall, Waverly Fitzgerald and Natalie Nix.

Pallbearers will be Keith Fitzgerald, Brad Nix, John Matthew Nix, Brannon Stegall, Tom Conn and Ivy Ray Thornton.

The family expresses deep gratitude to their church family, Dr. Kenneth Stubbs, Jose Serio and the staff at the Adams County Nursing Center for the prayers, concerns and loving care shown to Mr. Nix during this time.

Memorials may be made to the Washington Baptist Church Brotherhood or a charity of choice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lairdfh.com.