Obituary of Joyce Marie Nix

Joyce’s Journey Joyce Marie Smith-Nix’s Journey began on July 12, 1959 in Hopkins County Memorial Hospital to her parents, Durwood and Clara Smith. She grew up in the “big” town of Como and graduated from Como-Pickton high school. Joyce was a mischievous blonde headed little girl. When she was around two, Durwood and Clara went Christmas shopping for her and bought a red velveteen dress. One day while wearing it, her dad looked up and saw Joyce running straight for the dog’s large water bowl. She jumped in and started screaming “I’m pooning.” Then when she was five, her brother, Joe Michael “Butch” Smith was born. In fact, Joyce was responsible for her brother’s nickname. Joyce stood over her brother’s crib, tickled his chin and said “Butchie, Butchie, Butchie boy.” As she became old enough to the drive, the fun seemed to get a little more exciting. Her parents owned a green Plymouth and for some reason they allowed her to drive to town for an errand with her young brother. Apparently, a boy that liked mom was close by. Trying to show off, she took a curve too fast and ran straight into a culvert and into a tree. She knocked the front end off of the car. Butch yelled, “Let’s get out of here.” They abandoned the car and her father was left to clean up the mess. Needless to say, Joyce lived a fun and exciting teenage years. Joyce had a natural beauty that is evidence by the pictures of her high school days. Her parents tell the stories of walking into restaurants and other places and every man in the room would turn their heads to see her. If her beauty didn’t capture your attention her loving personality sure did. Her high school friends, which now call each other the Blah Blah’s have many fond stories to share about their times together. In 1978, at the age of 18, Joyce gave birth to twin daughters, Jennifer Marie Smith-Hawkins and Jeana Michelle Smith-Penny. It was actually not until she went into labor that Joyce knew she was carrying twins. Her doctor had told her she was having a BIG baby boy. Can you imagine the shock in the delivery room? Joyce loved her twin girls. I remember a story she told, one day she was driving with her daughters in the back seat, and she thought to herself “I’m responsible for these girl’s lives.” She gave her girls a life of honesty, openness, and unconditional love. Though her daughters will tell you she was strict and demanded a lot from them, all the high school kids she had in class thought she was the coolest teacher on campus. Joyce often used the motto “Do as I say, not as I did” with her girls growing up. Joyce worked hard to take care of her of her family, although there were times that bologna sandwiches and cereal were the only things to eat. But we were a happy family. In the summer of 1985, Joyce met her knight in shining armor. One night while out with Jackie Nix-Hudson, her now sister-in-law, she ran into Ronnie Nix. She motioned at him to come over and Ronnie, being a smart man quickly complied by hurdling his long legs over a couch to get to her. That night they danced to “You Are My Lady” and that sealed the deal. It was love at first dance. On January 30, 1987 Joyce and Ronnie were married and began a life of memories. Although the years when Ronnie worked at the coalmine were a little tough, Joyce always worked hard to put supper on the table every night and breakfast every morning. Joyce had many jobs throughout her life, but one of her favorites was working at Sulphur Springs High School. She was able to touch so many lives and helped hundreds of students with her testimony. Suzy Moffat shared her memories of working in the CCP lab. Suzy often stated that Joyce was the most amazing example to her kids of how to overcome adversity and be victorious. The Lord used her journey numerous times to speak into the lives of kids in a way that only someone who has walked through the fire can. Evie Kattes, a long time teacher at SSHS shared, when Joyce became an administrator assistant she was the “do a little of EVERYTHING” person in charge. Staff members, students and friends often crowded in her office for advice, for conversation, and for laughs. Her office was the hub of the school. Joyce loved everyone and was a “momma” to so many people. In 2000, Joyce found out she was going to be a first time grandmother. She was so excited she had to pull her car over and cry when Jennifer called to tell her the news. Her heart was so big that God blessed her with five grandbabies for her to love. Hanna Marie, Bryce Matthew, Gracie Ann, Trinity Faith and Emmy Reece have a lifetime of memories of an amazing grandmother. It was also in 2000, Joyce sacrificially decided to leave her job at the high school and take care of her grandson because he was born premature. She didn’t want anyone else trying to take care of him and no one else could have done it with the abundance of love and care as she did. In 2001, Joyce and Ronnie decided to embark on a new adventure and opened a sewing and alterations shop in Sulphur Springs, Texas. So began her legacy of Creations by Joyce. So many people counted on her for their sewing and alterations needs which helped her business grow into a success. However, her shop was not just about business, she constantly had people come and sit just to talk to her. Joyce was a mentor to so many people because she always knew exactly what to say in any situation. People always knew exactly where they stood with her because she was brutally honest and told them how it was. Even if you didn’t like what she said, it was always truth. For Joyce knew that the truth would set you free. In 2011, Joyce was diagnosed with a kidney tumor. She underwent surgery to remove the tumor and the scare was over. However, in December of 2013 Joyce was diagnosed with liver cancer and together she and Ronnie started the toughest battle of their lives. Joyce decided to fight, and to fight hard for her life. She fought for her family, she fought for two daughters, and she fought for her five grandbabies that called her granny. Even in her sickness she had the amazing ability to make people laugh. During one of her hospital stays, surrounded by friends and family, she serenaded us with “I’m Sexy and I Know It.” On Tuesday, May 13, 2014 Joyce’s journey came to an end when she lost her battle to liver cancer. She died in her home in Reilly Springs. Her last days were spent surrounded by many people that loved her. Her loved ones will continue to share her memories and her legacy for years to come. Joyce may not be here physically with us but her spirit will live on. She loved “big”, and it is this “big love” that will keep her memories of love, laughter, and devotion alive forever. You will always be remembered. We all love you, Joyce. She is survived by her husband of 27 years, Ronald Nix. Parents Durwood and Clara Smith. Twin daughters and their husbands, Jeana and Chris Penny of Sulphur Springs and Jennifer and Bryan Hawkins of Chandler, TX. Five beautiful grandbabies, Hanna, Gracie, Trinity, Bryce and Emmy. Her brother and sister-in-law, Butch and Kari Smith and a nephew K.C. Smith. Sister and brother-in-law, Jackie Nix Hudson and Troy Stout. Nieces Shanna McGill and Misty Sheperd and great nieces and nephews Aaron Chennault, Shayla Kuhl, and Sam Sheperd. A special thank you to Jennifer Murray, Laura Mitchell, Stephanie Martin, Dr. Horne, Stacy McLarry, Donna and Lynn Luttrell, Shanna McGill, Jackie Nix Hudson, and Heart to Heart Hospice employees, Renee, Kelli, Gaila, Lisa, Jim, and John. Funeral services for Joyce will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 16, 2014 at West Oaks Funeral Home Chapel with James Diamond officiating. Interment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park with Mike Bowman, David Gulley, Dave Funderburk, Donnie Powers, Troy Stat, Aaron Chennault, and K.C. Smith serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Danny Cooksey, Macky Maxwell, and the Blah Blah Sisters. Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, May 15, 2014 at West Oaks Funeral Home. Arrangements are under the direction of West Oaks Funeral Home. www.westoaksfuneralhome.com