Margaret Nelson Nixon, 93, of Roanoke Rapids, passed away on Thursday, February, 6, 2020 at her home.
She was born the daughter of Vallie Tillotson and Matt David Nelson of Vaughan, NC on January 31, 1927.
She grew up on a farm in Vaughan and moved to Roanoke Rapids where she attended and graduated from the Roanoke Rapids School of Nursing.
After graduation Margaret worked as a Registered Nurse at the Roanoke Rapids Hospital and Halifax Memorial Hospital in many capacities.
At her retirement in 1994 she was the Infection Control Nurse, Chairman of the Safety Committee and the Employee Health Nurse.
Her knowledge was highly valued by many doctors, nurses, staff, patients, family and friends. She also cared about her community and presented many lectures on health education and the importance of hand washing in the Roanoke Valley and North Carolina and volunteered as a Crisis Counselor for the Mental Health Center for 17 years.
She was inducted into the Great 100 Nurses in North Carolina in 1991.
She passed the first certification exam in Infection Control in the United States and Canada. She was a lifetime member of the NC Nurses Association.
She taught little children the love of God and Jesus and the importance of prayer as a Sunday School teacher at First Christian Church for over 40 years. She also was a Leader of the Senior Group and a member of the Music Ministry.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Linwood Lee Nixon Sr, her son Linwood Lee (Bo,Link) Nixon Jr., granddaughter Aimee Erwin, son in-law Stan Coats, 5 sisters, Dr. Louise Nelson, Vella Nelson, Edith N. Clark, Lois N. Weinburg, Esther N. Minturn, her brothers-in-law Jim Clark, Bob Weinburg and Bill Stanford.
She is survived by her brother, Matt David Nelson, Jr. of Louisburg, NC and her sister, Joyce N. Stanford of Chapel Hill, NC; children, Linda Erwin (Billy), Joyce Smith (Lee), Joan Selfridge, John Nixon (Rhonda), Marie Bearden, honorary daughter, Tracy Hedrick; grandchildren, Bill Erwin (Elizabeth), David Erwin (Julie), Mellissa Smith Medlin (Jim Bishop), Kristen Smith Batchelor (Randy Pridgen), Stan Coats (Kelly), Kara Smith Cullom (Chris), Beth Bearden Shephard (Micah), Thomas Bearden (Jenny), Meghan Pitt West (Josh Piegols), Erin Selfridge Young (Ryan), Adam Selfridge (Morgan), Jordan Nixon (Katie), John Tyler Nixon (Meredith Callaghan); great grandchildren, Catie, Sarah and Morgan Erwin, Ashley Forshay, Miranda and Meredith Erwin, Bradley Barnes, Mary Margaret, Lauren, Addison and Avery Coats, Kaylee and Jacob Batchelor, Bryson and Easton Cullom, Katelyn S. Wallace (Clay), Cody Shepard , Vance and Violet Bearden, Matthew Pitt, Maya and Molly West, Carter Young, Mason Selfridge, Lennox Nixon; great great grandson, Kaed Barnes. Two additions to be announced. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. In addition Special Caregivers Dr. Mario Fiorilli, (Angels) Gail Warren Endicott, Sheryl Dickens and Vickie Reid who showed her much love and care along with her family.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Sunday, February 9, 2020 at 2:30 PM at First Christian Church, 836 Roanoke Avenue in Roanoke Rapids with Dr. Bane Angles officiating followed by graveside services at Cedarwood Cemetery. Prior to the service the family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall of First Christian Church at 1:30 PM. The family will also welcome friends at other times at the home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Christian Church, 836 Roanoke Avenue, Roanoke Rapids, or to Halifax Community College Foundation, designate the Margaret and Linwood Nixon Sr. Nursing Scholarship, PO Box 809, Weldon, NC 27890.
Wrenn Clarke and Hagan Funeral and Cremation Service is handling the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.wrennclarkehagan.com