1941
Marcella
2015
Marcella A Nix
October 27, 1941 — December 12, 2015
Marcella Ann Nix, age 74, lauded Native American artist, passed away in Oklahoma City on December 12, 2015, after a lengthy illness.
Born on October 27, 1941 in Lawton, OK and a longtime resident of Anadarko, Marcella died surrounded by her children and loved ones, who talked to her, sang to her, told her stories, held her and kissed her, while playing her favorite powwow songs mixed in with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Tina Turner, Gladys Knight, and the Righteous Brothers.
Known to family and friends as Pinky, she was a proud member of the Chickasaw Nation and traveled on behalf of the tribe as an elder to a gathering in Seattle, WA.
She was a graduate of the Canadian Valley Technology Center in Chickasha where she achieved certification as a Food Service Supervisor. Later, she would attend classes at the University of Science & Arts to continue her arts education. Subsequent employment saw her helming the cafeterias of schools, hospitals, and nursing homes throughout Oklahoma.
A noted artist, Marcella was known as Soo'kee- grandmother in the Chickasaw language. Her accomplishments included winning the prestigious Clayborn Straughn Award at the Chickasaw Annual Meeting and Festival in Tishomingo, OK where the finest Native American artists from around the country gathered to exhibit their work and compete for the prize. Her work was exhibited at the Jacobson House in Norman during a month-long celebration of Chickasaw Art and Culture. There University of Oklahoma professors lauded her historically accurate paintings and especially the depiction of the haunted face of a young Indian child forced into boarding school, which she had based on the life experience of her mother Mildred Underwood Mullican.
Upon retirement, she displayed her artwork in a private gallery within her home in Anadarko. She was known for her warmth, humor, gardening, puzzle solving skills, and love for animals. To her children, whom she loved very much, she gave two very important gifts: books and dreams.
Marcella was preceded in death by her parents: MC and Mildred Mullican, infant daughter Rhonda Sue Nix, and son Alton Ray Nix.
Survivors include husband James A. Nix to whom she was married for 57 years; children Rebecca Young and husband Daniel of Yukon, Regina Seals of Shawnee, James Vincent Nix of OKlahoma City, Marla Massey and husband Carl of McLoud, and Houston Nix of Chickasha; brothers: Dr. Walter Mullican and wife Kathy of Bethany and Steve Mullican and wife Kelley of Shawnee; grandchildren: Andrew Young, Jacob Moss, Derek Seals, Korey Elliot, Lori Boss, Phillip Roybal, Joshua Miko Nix, Christopher Nix, Dustin Nix, Desirae Nix, and Daniel Thompson; and fourteen great-grandchildren.
A celebration of her life will be conducted at 10:30 AM, Friday, December 18, 2015 at Ware's Chapel west of Anadarko. Officiating will be her brother Dr. Walter Mullican of the Portland Avenue Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. Burial will be at Memory Lane Cemetery under the direction of Steverson Funeral Home.
Viewing will be 9:00 AM -10:30 AM prior to service at Wares Chapel.
Born on October 27, 1941 in Lawton, OK and a longtime resident of Anadarko, Marcella died surrounded by her children and loved ones, who talked to her, sang to her, told her stories, held her and kissed her, while playing her favorite powwow songs mixed in with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Tina Turner, Gladys Knight, and the Righteous Brothers.
Known to family and friends as Pinky, she was a proud member of the Chickasaw Nation and traveled on behalf of the tribe as an elder to a gathering in Seattle, WA.
She was a graduate of the Canadian Valley Technology Center in Chickasha where she achieved certification as a Food Service Supervisor. Later, she would attend classes at the University of Science & Arts to continue her arts education. Subsequent employment saw her helming the cafeterias of schools, hospitals, and nursing homes throughout Oklahoma.
A noted artist, Marcella was known as Soo'kee- grandmother in the Chickasaw language. Her accomplishments included winning the prestigious Clayborn Straughn Award at the Chickasaw Annual Meeting and Festival in Tishomingo, OK where the finest Native American artists from around the country gathered to exhibit their work and compete for the prize. Her work was exhibited at the Jacobson House in Norman during a month-long celebration of Chickasaw Art and Culture. There University of Oklahoma professors lauded her historically accurate paintings and especially the depiction of the haunted face of a young Indian child forced into boarding school, which she had based on the life experience of her mother Mildred Underwood Mullican.
Upon retirement, she displayed her artwork in a private gallery within her home in Anadarko. She was known for her warmth, humor, gardening, puzzle solving skills, and love for animals. To her children, whom she loved very much, she gave two very important gifts: books and dreams.
Marcella was preceded in death by her parents: MC and Mildred Mullican, infant daughter Rhonda Sue Nix, and son Alton Ray Nix.
Survivors include husband James A. Nix to whom she was married for 57 years; children Rebecca Young and husband Daniel of Yukon, Regina Seals of Shawnee, James Vincent Nix of OKlahoma City, Marla Massey and husband Carl of McLoud, and Houston Nix of Chickasha; brothers: Dr. Walter Mullican and wife Kathy of Bethany and Steve Mullican and wife Kelley of Shawnee; grandchildren: Andrew Young, Jacob Moss, Derek Seals, Korey Elliot, Lori Boss, Phillip Roybal, Joshua Miko Nix, Christopher Nix, Dustin Nix, Desirae Nix, and Daniel Thompson; and fourteen great-grandchildren.
A celebration of her life will be conducted at 10:30 AM, Friday, December 18, 2015 at Ware's Chapel west of Anadarko. Officiating will be her brother Dr. Walter Mullican of the Portland Avenue Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. Burial will be at Memory Lane Cemetery under the direction of Steverson Funeral Home.
Viewing will be 9:00 AM -10:30 AM prior to service at Wares Chapel.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Marcella A Nix, please visit our flower store.
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