Shirley Ann Nix

 Shirley Ann Nix went home to be with the Lord on August 5, 2023. She was born on January 30, 1927, to Frank O. Cherrington and Janet E. Ridenhour Cherrington in Vinita, Oklahoma.   Shirley had lived a long and blessed life. She was 96.
 For most of her life she had been a resident of Vinita. She was a 1945 graduate of Vinita High School and never missed a reunion. She went on to study at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah where she was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma.
She met her husband Tom Nix in high school, and they married November 13, 1948. They enjoyed 49 plus years of marriage until Tom’s death in 1998. She carried on for another 25 years as the head of her family. A quote from her grandniece, Tina Anderson, “She has always been a guiding light and perfect example for our family and anyone that knew her, on how to be a genuinely good person.”
Shirley worked at a law firm in Vinita until becoming a mother. Then she stayed home and raised her children. When they entered junior high, she went back to work. She worked at Eastern State Hospital as the secretary in the continuing education department until she retired in 1987.
Shirley was an active member of the First United Methodist Church since 1951. She continued to do volunteer work at the church until her fall last September. Even in her 90’s she continued to be the chairman of the Friendly Visitors Committee and never missed an outreach to Heartsworth Retirement Center to provide communion services to the residents. She and Tom delivered Meals on Wheels for several years.  After Tom died, she continued delivering well up into her eighties. Her daughter made her stop because it was unsafe for her, or she would have continued. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for 50 years. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi. Her most enjoyed pastime, her Bridge Club, was active for 20 years. They played their last game in 1968. Shirley is survived by her children, Jan Kelsey of Claremore, Tom Nix and wife Lisa of White Oak. Grandchildren Dano Childers and wife Barbara of Vinita; Cody Nix and wife Lesley of Tahlequah; Nikki Malloy and husband Andy of Tahlequah; and Josh Condray of Claremore. Her niece, Jackie Bluejacket and husband Brad of Monkey Island. Her Nephews Jeff Cherrington and wife DeWayna of Cedarsburg Wisconsin; Kevin Cherrington and wife Stacy of Claremore; Steven Cherrington and wife Lauryn of Bixby. Seven great grandchildren and two great great-grandchildren. She was able to see the newest great great grandson last week. One great niece and one great great niece. She was called “Gram” by one and all. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister Mary Frank Moody; brother Jon R. Cherrington; husband Tom Nix; one son, Brian Scott; one granddaughter, Leah Jytte  Carson and one nephew, Larry J. Moody. She loved her family. It was her greatest joy. She was a great cook. All of her family loved her homemade Butterscotch Pie. Especially Jan and Tom who received one every birthday because that was their favorite. She continued to host family occasion dinners until her fall last September. She will be greatly missed by all of her family. It will never be the same.