Gracie Mae Waldrop Nix

Gracie Mae Waldrop Nix of 51 Remembrance Ridge, Flat Rock, NC, hopped on the Sweet Chariot at 9:14 pm, February 17 in her home after a lengthy illness.  Gracie celebrated her 94th birthday on January 28.  The daughter of the late Jesse Lorenzo Waldrop and Eva Mae Wood Waldrop, Gracie was born in Danville, Virginia, in the county of Penn, at 10:30 o’clock on a Monday night.  Gracie was preceded in death by her siblings, Thelma Leola Sims, Joseph Charles Waldrop, James Ralph and Paul Waldrop (infants), John Thomas Waldrop, Henry Lee Waldrop, Horace Jessie Waldrop, twin unnamed baby boys born in 1934, and grandson Lance Bishop and son-in-law, Frank Hensley.

Gracie is survived by her husband, John A. Nix of the home, her brother, Lemuel Douglas Waldrop of Goldsboro, NC and her daughters, Sherry Ann Hensley of Zirconia and Theresa (Terry) Ruth Leonhardt of Black Mountain.  Granddaughters are Melodie Edwards, Nicole Galladay and Eva Mays.  Great-grandchildren are Michaela Childers, Blake Bishop, Alexis Duffey, Waylon Lively and Tristan Mays.  Great-great-grandchildren are Jaxton and Kayson Childers, Micah, Liberty and James Duffey, and Briar Bishop.  In addition, Gracie is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

As a young woman, Gracie worked at Chipman LaCrosse and Theodore Britain’s hosiery mills.  One of the first workers hired when General Electric Outdoor Lighting Company was built in East Flat Rock, Gracie remained there for over 30 years as a coil winder and was a member of GEEA.   During her retirement days, Gracie made quilts, sewed and traveled to 48 United States and Canada in motor homes with her husband.

When Gracie’s father died in 1934, her Aunt Mary Ellenburg took in the family and introduced the children to Christ.  Aunt Mary gave each Waldrop child a Bible where Gracie wrote Romans 13:13 and Proverbs 14:30.  During those years, Gracie became a member of Mt.Olivet Baptist Church in Zirconia, NC, which she cherished and never desired to “move her letter” to other churches attended through the years.

There will be a memorial service held at a later date.