Rev. Russell Franklin Nixon

Rev. Russell Franklin Nixon, son of John Nixon and Ethel Mosley Nixon, was born on September 10th, 1935 in Surry County. He was a mechanic and salesman of Scenic Ford of Mt. Airy and a pastor of Mountain Park Baptist Church, Union Baptist Church, Roaring Gap Baptist Church, Maple Grove Baptist Church, Mineral Springs Baptist Church, Arlington First Baptist Church, Cool Springs Baptist Church, Pleasant Home Baptist Church, Rock Hill Baptist Church, and Church in the Wildwood. He was a member of Cool Springs Baptist Church of Elkin, NC. He faithfully served his country in the U.S. Navy on the USS Prairie from 1954 to 1958.

Preacher Russ could always be found with a guitar in his hand. He loved pickin’ and grinnin’ with his family and friends. He spent a lot of his time on the golf course with friends and family, but mostly with his grandson, Zachary Nixon. He received his first “Hole in 1” on February 9th, 2012 which was an achievement he spoke about on many occasions. He went on to have 2 more “Hole in 1’s” in 2015 and 2017. Preacher Russ touched the lives of many throughout his ministry bringing many to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. He was a part of the Great Commission through many mission trips, some specifically, one in West Virginia where he helped start churches, Little Burch and Riverton, and one in Togo, Africa where he helped lead over 800 to the Lord.

His beautiful life will forever be cherished by his wife of 66 years, Elva Lee Bullins Nixon of Thurmond, his son, Marty Nixon and wife Angela Nixon of State Road, his grandchildren, Zachary Nixon and wife Anahi Nixon of Asheville, and Ashlyn Nixon of State Road, his brother Roger Nixon and wife Jean Nixon of Boonville, and sisters-in-law Carol Nixon and Lorraine Bullins. He is preceded in death by his father John Nixon, his mother Ethel Nixon, and his brother Ralph Nixon. In addition, Preacher Russ will forever be cherished by his niece, Lynn Creed and her husband Terry Creed, his “Sunday daughter”, Michelle Roberts, and his “adoptive” granddaughter, Kelly Velasco and husband Emiliano Velasco (and their son Elijah Velasco). He was loved by all his church family and friends.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, January 14, 2024 at 3:00pm at Elkin Funeral Service Chapel with Rev. Marty Nixon, Rev. Joel Blevins and Rev. Jeff Collins officiating.  Burial will follow in Mountain Park Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 1:30pm-3:00pm prior to the service.

The family would like to thank the staff of Mountain Valley Hospice for the love and care shown to Russ and the family during his illness.