Earnest Ray Nix, age 86 of Forsyth, GA, passed away on Friday, October 3, 2025, at Pruitt Nursing Home, in Forsyth, GA, after an extended illness. Gravesite funeral services with military honors will be held at Mt Pisgah Baptist Church Cemetery in Quitman, MS, (near Melvin, AL) on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Jesse Griffith and Rev. Robert Ramsey officiating.
Earnest was born on May 1, 1939, to Albert Brown Nix and Lenice Johnson Nix. He graduated from Carmichael High School, and in 1958, at the age of 19 he enlisted in the US Army and completed his basic training at Fort Benning, GA. His military career led him to Bad Kissingen, Germany where he met his wife, Margareta.
After his tour in Germany, Earnest and Margareta went to Fort Bragg, NC, and welcomed their son Johann. Earnest left his many military friends and remained in the National Guard for two years after his enlistment was up. He pursued many careers during his 86 years. He owned a Citgo Gas Station in College Park, NC, and was the #1 Sales Person for a GA Nissan Dealership, He was a long haul truck driver and became a Property Developer with his second wife, Mary Elizabeth Smith Nix. They also owned and operated Nix Funeral Home, Gilbertown, AL, and after returning to High Falls , GA, they owned and operated Nix Realty and Nix Monument Co., Jackson, GA.
Mary preceded Earnest in death on September 28, 2006. Earnest returned to Melvin for retirement but due to his declining health returned to Jackson, GA, and lived with his granddaughter, Payton, before entering into Pruitt Nursing Home. He spent his final years at Pruitt Nursing Home in Forsyth, GA, where he became a family member of the beautiful caring staff and fellow patients.
Earnest is survived by his son Johann Albert Nix; sister, Opal Nix Bentley; step daughters, Laura Payton Edwins and Linda Marie Eubanks; grandson, Rainer Nix (Britini); step grandsons Joseph Winkler and Johnathan Abston; and step granddaughter, Payton James.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Lenice Nix; brothers, Hugo, Marshall, Leon, Maxie, Marvin and Affard Earl; and wives, Margareta Shoberl and Mary Smith Nix.
Expressions of condolence may be offered at www.phillips-funeral-home.com. Arrangements provided by Phillips Funeral Home, 116 West Main Street, Gilbertown, AL 36908, and Freeman Funeral Home in Forsyth, GA.
Submitted by Phillips Funeral Home
