Samuel Bacon 'Sam' Nix

(August 14, 1936 - November 18, 2020)

Sam Nix

Ovalo - Samuel Bacon (Sam) Nix died on November 18, 2020, at a nursing facility in Abilene after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease and dementia. He was born on August 14, 1936, in Abilene to A. J. (Jack) and Juanita (Bacon) Nix. He graduated from South Taylor High School in 1954 and Abilene Christian University with a B.S. in 1958. He married Emma L. Shaffer on September 7, 1956 in Moro, Texas. Of their marriage two children were born, a son, Clinton, and a daughter, Lisa.

In February 1959, Sam started his professional career with the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) now known as Natural Conservation Resource Service (NCRS). During his career with SCS Sam and Emma lived in Littlefield, Crosbyton, Levelland, Jayton, Stamford, Lamesa and moved to Temple in 1969 to the state SCS office. There he served as the recruitment and training officer and subsequently Personnel Officer for the State of Texas at the time of his retirement in 1986. After his retirement he served as a consultant for several years and investigated EEOC complaints. At all times during his service with SCS he was also involved in family ranching operations including cattle, sheep, and goats. He ran sheep until coyotes and other predators ended raising sheep in the early 1990's. He was particularly involved in the livestock shows with his children and their lambs and hogs. In 1992 he and Emma moved back to South Taylor County and lived at the Shaffer-Nix Ranch where Emma grew up. This was his permanent residence until his death. Sam also served as a director for the Taylor County Farm Bureau for many years. He was recognized as ACU Outstanding Aggie of the Year in 1985. Sam and Emma were named Outstanding Conservation Rancher from Middle Clear Fork Soil & Water Conservation District in 1999. He was the initial Fire Chief for Moro Volunteer Fire Department in 1994 and served for 15 years.

Sam became a Christian at 13 years of age. He served as an elder at Western Hills Church of Christ in Temple for 21 years. Later he served many years as an elder at North Main Church of Christ in Winters until his resignation due to his health. Sam was a Bible class teacher for over 50 years. Sam served as a Trustee of Sherwood & Myrtie Foster's Home for Children in Stephenville from 1981 to 1987. Sam was a board member for Samaritan House in Winters for several years.

Sam is proceeded in death by his parents and his sister Jackie Graham.

Sam is survived by his wife of 64 years, Emma; his son, Clinton and wife Janet of Abilene, Texas; his daughter, Lisa and husband Lance Powers of Winter Park, Florida; four grandchildren, Anna Staton of Saigon, Vietnam; Emily Simpson and husband Adam of Malden, Massachusetts; Charles Nix of Las Cruces, New Mexico; and James Nix of Canberra, Australia. He is survived by one great-grandson, Eaoin Simpson and another great-grandson due in late December, Evander Simpson; two aunts, Jane Verett of California and Judy Walker of Lubbock, Texas; one uncle, Don Bacon of Spring Branch, Texas; a nephew, Sam Graham of Cedar Park, Texas; a niece, Charla Kaye Hart of Austin, Texas; and several first cousins and other extended family members.

The family will have a private graveside service at the Bluff Creek Cemetery on Friday, November 20, 2020 with longtime friend Dr. Gerald R. Freeman of Florence, Alabama officiating, funeral arrangements directed by Fry~Smith Funeral Home, Tuscola.

The family requests that any memorial gifts be made to Sherwood & Myrtie Foster's Home for Children, P.O. Box 978, Stephenville, Texas 76401.

To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.

Published in Abilene Reporter News from Nov. 19 to Nov. 20, 2020.

Sonya Elaine Graham Rogers

(July 28, 1942 - November 3, 2020)

Sonya Elaine Rogers, 78, of Tuscola passed away on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 at her house surrounded by her family.

Sonya was born in Abilene on July 28, 1942, to Everett and Lucille (Moody) Graham. She attended school at South Taylor County and then graduated from Jim Ned CISD in 1960. She was always a proud South Taylor County Tiger. She moved to Howard county where she attended school at Howard County Junior College.

She worked in and around Tuscola and at various jobs but her priority was taking care of her family. She loved any games with words in them and was a master at crossword puzzles. She loved all animals and always had cats and dogs. She was also known to be a little stubborn and might be a tad rebellious.

She is survived by her daughters Darla Rogers of Tuscola, Elaine Ison of Tuscola; son Chad Rogers and wife Toni of South Carolina; brother Butch Graham and wife Margie of Tuscola, and her grandson Colton Ison of Tuscola.

She is preceded in death by her parents.

In lieu flowers donation can be made to Rescue the Animals, 4620 N 1st St, Abilene, TX 79603.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sonya Elaine (Graham) Rogers, please visit our floral store.

Wilma Joyce Parvin Ellinger

October 22, 1940 - October 23, 2020

BUFFALO GAP: Wilma Joyce (Parvin) Ellinger, age 80, went to be with her Lord Friday, October 23, 2020 in a caring and loving community at the Bronte Health and Rehab Center in Bronte. Services directed by Fry~Smith Funeral Home, Tuscola.

Wilma was born October 22, 1940 in Buffalo Gap as the oldest of three siblings to the late Jessie Lindsey and Wilma Odessa (Brown) Parvin. Wilma attended Buffalo Gap School and graduated from Wylie High School, where she enjoyed playing volleyball and basketball. She married the late Mickey Alexander Ellinger July 30, 1960 and they lived on the Ellinger Ranch for the entirety of their lives. They had one daughter, Lisa Michele (Ellinger) Gibbs, September 1, 1966. Wilma retired in 2000 from Jim Ned CISD as the Buffalo Gap Elementary librarian where she tenderly touched many lives.

Wilma dearly loved her family and friends and she expressed how family was one of the most important parts of her life. She adored spending time with family and Christmas was her favorite holiday because it was a time she could give a part of herself to loved ones. She was a giving person who would say “God intended for us to share our love not keep it to ourselves”.  Wilma served on the PTA board at Buffalo Gap School where she proudly helped sew her daughter’s basketball team’s uniforms. She also taught Sunday school for many years at Buffalo Gap Baptist Church. In later years, she truly enjoyed following her granddaughter, Mackenzie Gibbs, in all of her sports and it didn’t take long for her to become the whole team’s “Nan”. She would always have available to them her “famous” chocolate brownies. Nan definitely was their biggest fan.  Wilma loved kids as she worked with children her whole life and cared and helped those who were in need of clothes, food, or whatever the need may have been at the time.  Wilma/Nan was a servant of God by giving to and loving the children in her life.  

Wilma is survived by her daughter, Lisa Gibbs and husband Kendall of Tuscola, her grandchildren, Mackenzie Gibbs of Buffalo Gap, Megan Gibbs of Houston, and Brandon Gibbs and wife Sarah of Harper, and her great grandchildren, Kylinn and Tobin Gibbs. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Donald Prew of Buffalo Gap, and his children, Melissa Prew of Fort Worth, Cory Prew and wife Karina of San Saba, and Nikki Powell and husband Wes of Irion County. There are also many other nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews whom she truly loved with all of her heart.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Brenda Prew, brother, Leslie Parvin, and husband, Mickey Ellinger.

Funeral services will be held 2:00pm Sunday, October 25, 2020 at Fry~Smith Funeral Home, Tuscola, Mr. Cory Prew officiating. Burial will follow at Buffalo Gap Cemetery, a visitation will be held before the service starting at 12:30pm at the funeral home. 

Wilma Ellinger’s family would like to extend our gratitude to all the staff at Bronte Health and Rehab Center and Kindred Hospice for their attentiveness and loving care.

Memorials may be made in Wilma’s name to Bronte Health and Rehab Auxiliary, PO Box G, Bronte, TX  76933 or Kindred Hospice of Angelo, 116 W Concho Ave., San Angelo, TX 76903.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Wilma Joyce (Parvin) Ellinger, please visit our floral store.

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