Person:Vernice Nix (1)

JOHN NIX RITES HELD WEDNESDAY

Funeral services for John Henry Nix, 73, former Walhalla resident who died in an Ashville, N.C. hospital Monday, morning following several months of declining health and a week's criticial illness were held from Rocky Knoll Baptist church Wednesday. The Rev. C.J. Sentell, the Rev. Frank Pearson and the Rev. O. W. Holcombe officiated. Interment was in Occone Memorial Park. Paulbearers were Coyce Marchbanks, james Wood, Frank Rogers, Horace Cash, Walter Alexander, and M. f. ??oan. Mr. Nix was born in Oconee county, and until seven months ago made his home in the Salem Comunity where he engaged in farming. In addition to his wife, Mrs. Ella Mae Rochcater Nix, three sons and five daughters survive; Grover and Thurmon Nix of Pickens; Edward Nix of Ashville; Mrs Clara Chapman, Mrs Marzelle Pearson and Miss Florence Nix, all of Ashville; Mrs. Cora Slone of Walhalla, Mrs. Gladys Price of Akron, Ohio, Twenty two grandchildren and ???great-grandchildren also survive. Davenport Funeral Home was in charge.

My name is Janet Alexander Blackwell and I have just read your letter in the OPD newsletter for September and have also looked at the info on the web you have of Jennings Nix. On my mother's side of the family I am Rochester and Nix. On my father's side I am Alexander and Chapman. The Nix side is the one I do not have very much info on yet. I have just seriously started researching this year. My mother's name was Vernice Marzell Nix, her parents were John Henry Nix and Ella Mae Rochester. His mother was Nicy Ann (Nica) Nix and my family has said that his father was a Bradshaw from Georgia. Nicy's parents were Billy "William" Nix and Ina (Elizabeth ?) Littleton of Oconee County, South Carolina. One of Nicy's siblings was Talley Nix which I have heard my family speak of and he was a brother to Nicy from the second wife, Seleta. >From the Keowee Courier from October 26, 1955 it reads "Nix dies from heart attack" "Talley B. Nix, well known resident on the Pickens highway near Walhalla, was found dead at his home Wednesday morning. Medical examination showed he succumbed to a heart attack at approximately 10 p.m. Tuesday. Coroner J. W. Manley told the Courier there would be no inquest since Mr. Nix died of natural causes. The body is at Abbott Funeral Home in Seneca." Also the informant from my great-grandmother's death on her death certificate says Esco Nix of Walhalla, SC. I am assuming this was a grandson or granddaughter of Nicy's if they belonged to Emma. My grandfather John Henry Nix was born January 14, 1881 and died January 11, 1954, he is buried next to my grandmother Mae Rochester Nix (March 10, 1891- December 18, 1985) at Oconee Memorial Gardens between Seneca and Walhalla, SC. This is also where my mother is buried.

I would love to learn more about this side of my family which just happens to tie in on my Alexander side also.

I live in Inman, South Carolina with my husband Steve, but I grew up in Pickens, SC. I have one daughter, Katherine who is in college. I look forward to hearing from you in the future.

V. Marzell Nix, Pickens

Pickens, Pickens County, South Carolina

Vernice Marzell Nix, 65, of 122 Cinder Nook Drive, died July 8, 1998. She was a daughter of the Late John Henry and Ella Mae Rochester Nix. She retired from Ryobi in Pickens and was employed by Sir Shirtmakers. Survivors: Children, Terry Pearson, Pickens, Judy McLeod, Goose Creek, Janet Alexander Blackwell, Inman; sisters, Florence Smith, Gladys Price, Six Mile, Cora Sloan, Walhalla. Visitation: 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at Dillard Memorial Funeral Home, Pickens. Services: 10 a.m. Saturday in Oconee Memorial Park with Dr. Webb Belangia officiating. Memorials: American Cancer Society, c/o Carol Grant, 783 Griffin Mill Road, Pickens, S. C. 29671.

>From "The Greenville News", Greenville, South Carolina, Thursday 9 July 1998.