Virginia Dean Nix

Virginia Sue Holcomb Dean Nix was welcomed into the arms of Jesus at the age of 77 on Friday, August 19, 2022, after a valiant battle against COVID pneumonia. Mrs. Dean Nix, the youngest of 8 children, was born on May 23, 1945, to humble beginnings on Fodder Creek in Hiawassee, Georgia. She was raised on the family farm and attended Towns County Schools, from which she graduated in 1963. She is preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Faye Rogers Holcomb, Sr., and siblings Martha Holcomb, Ruth Holcomb, Helen (Herbert) Fain, Eugene Guy ‘Bud’ Holcomb, Opal Merritt, and James Franklin ‘Bill’ Holcomb. She has one surviving brother, Fred Holcomb, Jr. (Pat), sisters-in-law Earlene Holcomb and Ellen Holcomb, and numerous nieces and nephews. Following her older siblings across the mountain for work, she obtained a job at Orbit Manufacturing. While walking down the streets of Helen one day, she gained the notice of a young man who told his friends she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. The young man, Larry James Dean, also worked at Orbit and sought to court her. He soon became her husband and the two began life’s journey with very little, but worked together over their 45 years of marriage to achieve great things. Virginia’s greatest goal in life was to be a good wife, mother, and grandmother. She took great pride in providing a clean and orderly home for her family, spending many hours involved in household chores other women avoid at all costs. Many acquainted with Virginia treasured invitations to her home or anticipated church functions in order to have the privilege of indulging in any creation from her kitchen. She also loved plants and flowers, nurturing beauty both inside and outside of her home. In recent years, she had grown to love orchids and also greatly enjoyed the hummingbirds that buzzed around the feeders on her porch. She is survived by her children, Ricky (Cindi) Dean, Anissa Dean, and Jason (Tammy) Dean. Grandchildren Eric (Hannah) Dean, Lauren (Cory) Anderson, Jacob (Courtney) Carney, Amber Dean, Jaden (Ty) Dean Anderson, Rance Carney, and Jaelee Dean adored their Memaw, as did her great-grandchildren Reese, Bo, Hunter, Jack, Zorah, Noah, and Marshall. She is also – barely – survived by her trusty Snapper lawn mower, on which she spent many therapeutic hours cutting grass to the constant dismay of her children. After Larry’s death in 2010, Virginia married Ellis Nix, finding companionship with him and his extended family. Mr. Nix also introduced her to Bethel Baptist Church, where she was embraced and welcomed into their church family. The family will receive friends Monday, August 22, 2022 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held in the chapel of Barrett’s Funeral Home on Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. with interment to follow at Dukes Creek Baptist Church. A livestream of the service can be found here: https://vimeo.com/event/2367894 To share a memory or to leave the family a condolence please visit www.barrettfh.com. Barrett Funeral Home, Cleveland. 706-865-3101.