Bryant Gartrell Nix, formerly of Portsmouth, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2017, after 96 years of a life well-spent. He was a true Virginia gentleman.
Mr. Nix was born in Brunswick, GA and lived in West Palm Beach, FL until moving to Portsmouth, VA with his family at age nine. He graduated from Portsmouth's Woodrow Wilson High School and started his business career with George T. McLean, Inc. He entered the oil business with his father on Fourth St. and that enterprise later became C.E. Nix & Son, Inc. where he was active on a daily basis well into his middle 80's. He contributed his time, talent and treasure to the Portsmouth community in many ways, and was a longtime member of Cradock Baptist Church where he served as church treasurer for over 40 years. He was a World War II U.S. Army Air Corps combat veteran, serving aboard B17 bombers in the European Theater as a radio operator and side-gunner. He was a longtime member of Lake Drummond Masonic Lodge No. 178.
He was the loving and devoted husband of 72 years to Ernestine Williams Nix. She passed away in 2013. Survivors include three children, Ernestine "Teena" Wise (Michael, deceased), Bryant G. Nix, Jr., Karen N. Grauzlis (Robert J.); grandchildren, Erin Bracy (Michael), Teena Anderson, Bryant G. "Trell" Nix III, Claude E. Nix II (Meghan), Russell C. Nix, Nancy G. Behram (Steve), Robert J. Grauzlis, Jr., Meghan M. Grauzlis; 9 great-grandchildren; and a special family friend, Anne B. Eastes. Besides his wife, he was predeceased by a son-in-law, Michael Wise, and two grandchildren, David W. Grauzlis and Kendall L. Grauzlis.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 4, 2017 at Cradock Baptist Church, 96 Afton Parkway, Portsmouth. Following the service, a reception will be held in the church social hall. Foster Funeral Home, Portsmouth, is assisting the family. Memorial donations may be made to Cradock Baptist Church. Condolences may be registered at www.BWFosterFuneralHome.com.