Joan Carol Nix, 80, of Centralia passed away Thursday, October 26, 2023, at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia.
She was born on April 10, 1943, the daughter of James I. and Thelma (Gwaltney) Phillips in Breese. She married Ed Nix at Temple Baptist in Centralia and they later divorced.
Survivors who hold dear memories of Joan include her
lifelong friend, Joe Neal Neftzer; brother, Gary Ray Phillips and wife Deloris, and their son, Michael Hall; sister, Marilyn Kay Sanders; sister-in-law, Loretta Synder; nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, Marsha K. Wilson, Roberta Lynn Wilson, Charles Wilson, Sarah Ross, Timothy Eugene Sanders and wife Rosa, and Matthew David Sanders and mother, Tracy Sanders, Susan Wild, Gail Ridgway, and Christie Anderson.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents, James and Thelma Phillips; brother, Larry Philips; ex-husband, Ed Nix.
Joan was a faithful employee of SSM St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia for 35 years, where she worked in dietary. She loved working on her tablets and was quite the collector of Kindles, using one for each of her activities, one for painting, checking social media, and email, and one for Google searches. Joan had the gift of creativity, embroidering beautiful pieces for family and friends. She remained curious all her life, enjoyed learning new things, and loved to expand her mind through reading. Joan kept active doing puzzles, and she was a plant and flower whisperer, making her space inviting with plants and bright-colored flowers. Joan took every opportunity to spoil her family that she loved with all her heart and then some. Joan will be remembered with a smile and her memory will bring comfort to all who loved her.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at Zion Grove Cemetery in Kell with Pastor Jonathan Urshan officiating. Memorials may be made in Joan’s honor to Centralia Davita Dialysis and will be accepted for the family at the Irvin Macz Funeral Home in Centralia. Online condolences and memories of Joan may be shared with the family by visiting www.maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.
