Patricia Ann Nix

Patricia Ann Nix, age 89, passed away peacefully on October 23, 2024, in Canton, NC. Born on May 31, 1935, to William Rufus and Bertha Inez Derrick Smathers, Patricia was a lifelong resident of Haywood County, cherished for her unwavering kindness and ability to forge lasting friendships.

Patricia attended Waynesville Junior High School and graduated from Tuscola High School. Her career began as a switchboard operator at Waynesville Hospital, where she met her husband, William "Bill" Nix. Together, they owned and operated Canton Dry Cleaners and two laundromats before taking over an Allstate Insurance agency. Under their stewardship, it became the largest independent Allstate agency in western North Carolina, with Pat skillfully managing accounts and client relations.

A devoted member of Canton First Baptist Church, Patricia was deeply involved in her community and religious life. Her interests included cooking, entertaining, and spending quality time with her family and friends, always ensuring everyone felt loved and cared for.

Patricia is survived by her daughters, Carol Fountain Nix and her wife, Penny Parsons of Raleigh, NC; Alice Dalatri and her husband Brian Dalatri, of Bluffton, SC; and their son, Peyton Dalatri, of Charleston, SC; Julia Nix and husband, Scott, and their daughter Macey of Portland, OR; and sister, Judy Smathers, of Waynesville, NC. She was preceded in death by her parents, Rufus and Inez Smathers, and her siblings, Eugene, Carene, Gordon, Bessie, Kenneth, Dorothy, Mildred, Phyllis, William [Bud], and Marjorie Smathers.

Services will be held at Wells Funeral Home in Canton, NC. on Friday, November 1. Visitation will begin at 2pm preceding a Celebration of Life service at 3pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Meals on Wheels Haywood County; the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina for Emergency and Disaster Relief; or Samaritan's Purse for Hurricane Response. Links to these organizations can be found on their respective websites. Patricia's legacy of kindness and community service will continue to inspire all who knew her.

The care of Mrs. Nix has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Canton and an online memorial register is available at “Obituaries” at www.wellsfuneralhome.com.