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Ray “Pop” Nixon

nixonFuneral services for Mr. Ray “Pop” Nixon will be 11:00 AM Friday, June 3, 2016, at Ligon & Bobo Funeral Home with Bro. Bob Curtis officiating.  Interment will follow at the Nixon Family Cemetery in Defeated Creek.  Visitation Thursday 2-8 PM and Friday after 9 AM at Ligon & Bobo.

Mr. Nixon, age 76 of Lebanon passed away Tuesday, May 31, 2016, at Quality Care.

He was born Lester Ray Nixon on April 23, 1940, in Smith County, Tennessee to the late Clifton and Lillie Velma Robinson Nixon.  He graduated Smith County High School in 1959 and is a member of Cornwells Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. He retired from the Tennessee Department of Transportation.  He was an avid ballplayer, coach, and umpire.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Scotty Ray Nixon.

He is survived by his wife of forty six years Shirley Taylor Nixon; four daughters, Renee Wills, Tammy (Charles) Brown, Teresa (Junior) Lago, and Kim (Steve) Goolsby; sister, Patricia (Ralph) Underwood; brother, Kenneth (Linda) Nixon; several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers: Ethan Underwood, Mike Nixon, Joey Nixon, Charles Brown, Brandon Hughes, Kyle Hughes, Jeremy Hughes, and Billy Joe Sanford.

Messages for the Family

  1. Morris and Glenda (Sanderson) Myers says:
    June 1, 2016 at 5:17 pm
    As members of the class of ’59 we send sincere sympathy to the family. Morris always called him “Mater” but “Pop” is fitting since he’ll be missed by many.
  2. Nancy Pettross says:
    June 2, 2016 at 3:06 am
    Ray was my classmate from first through twelfth grade. I was so sorry to learn of his sickness and death. My sympathy to all who loved him.
  3. Billy and Melissa Nolen says:
    June 2, 2016 at 11:12 am
    Loved playing ball with Pop, enjoyed spending time with him and Shirley, our love and prayers are with Shirley and the family.
  4. Tilford Elkins says:
    June 2, 2016 at 11:13 am
    Pop was my hero on the baseball diamond. He could have played Major League Baseball and been successful. But more importantly, even though a fierce competitor, he had a heart of gold. He was my friend, and I shall greatly miss him.
  5. Allan skeen says:
    June 2, 2016 at 2:06 pm
    Ray was always such a joy to be around, what a great competitor . I spent 10 summers of my life with “Pop”, there are many stories to many to tell. He will be missed by all who knew him!
  6. Kat Darnell says:
    June 2, 2016 at 8:34 pm
    Mr. Nixon was the roommate of my friend Jim Canavan until his death. They enjoyed each other’s company and he & Shirley Nixon were very kind to Jim and my granddaughter Lexie who has been a frequent visitor at Quality. He will be terribly missed.
  7. Sam Cardwell says:
    June 3, 2016 at 12:48 am
    I spent several summers with Pop playing slow pitch softball and traveling all over the southeast. We share some great memories. Somewhere in heaven he is tossing ball and burning whomevers hand that he is warming up with. Thanks for the memories Ray.

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