Nina Kathleen Cox Fisher

Nina Kathleen Cox Fisher, 98, finished this life’s journey September 4, 2021 at Brightmoor Hospice.
Nina was born in Griffin, Georgia on June 5, 1923 to Leola Meeks Cox and George W. Cox. She was welcomed into a loving family of two brothers, James and Barney and two sisters, Lucille and Mozelle. Nina would be the baby of the family for two more years before another brother, Arthur Lee was born.

Even though times were hard, the Cox household was happy. Then tragedy struck when “little Arthur Lee” died from “the fever”. The family was devastated. At age 5, Nina once again became the “baby” of the family. She would be well protected and sheltered by all of her siblings.

As a child, Nina learned about caring for others from her mother’s example. Her mother, “Miss Leola” was always available to help family as well as neighbors. On week-ends, Nina would accompany her mother to Thomaston to take care of her Granny Meeks. During these formative years, the foundation was laid that would create in Nina a sweet, compassionate spirit.
Even as a child Nina had a selfless, caring nature. At Christmas when she received a box of chocolate covered cherries, she always wanted to share them with her friends who were less fortunate.

In high school, Nina had many friends. She excelled so much in business classes that when she graduated from Griffin High School in 1940, her yearbook stated that she would make a great secretary.
After graduation, she worked briefly for Judge Byars. During the war, Nina did her part on the home front by working at Griffin Jaco Mills which was a major producer of clothing goods for the troops. Many days she gladly worked overtime to help meet the demands of outfitting the soldiers.

After the war, she worked as a secretary at H. V. Kell Company (a wholesale grocery). It was at this time that she met James Fisher who had just returned home from the war. Like Nina, he grew up in East Griffin also. He and several friends, had enlisted in the Army before the war. James was stationed at Pearl Harbor (Schofield Barracks) when the Japanese forces attacked. He later went on to serve in Europe under General George W. Patton. For his outstanding military service, James was awarded two purple hearts and a bronze star. But the heart he most long to have was Nina’s. They married in 1945 and began a life together that would last for 54 years until her beloved James passed away.

During their 54 year marriage they had one son, Randy. But Nina was really a “mother” to any child she knew. Countless neighbors’ children experienced “Miss Nina’s” special love. In her early years she was an active member of Searcy Memorial United Methodist Church. She loved singing in the choir and being involved in many of the activities of the church. In later years when she wasn’t able to attend church, she became a regular viewer of the Griffin First Baptist Church television ministry.

Nina always put her family first. She helped care for her oldest sister, Lucille, who was battling cancer. She would work half a day before taking Lucille to Atlanta for her treatments. After her father died, Nina would go to her mother’s house every day to help with daily activities and then spend the night. Eventually, Nina, James and Randy had to move in with her mother to take care of her until she passed away.

Nina also helped take care of two great aunts, a nephew, another sister, Mozelle, a sister-in-law and finally her own husband James who was suffering with bone cancer and Alzheimer’s.

During her working career, Nina was an exceptional bookkeeper. In addition to having worked at H.V. Kell Company, she also worked at Griffin Garment and finally at Fisher Hardware until her retirement in 1983. Since her desk was at the front of the hardware store, she was the warm, welcoming, smiling face that greeted every customer.

In her retirement years she was able to travel some. She especially enjoyed the military reunions that she would attend with her husband. They also had enjoyed trips to Florida, Tennessee, Michigan, Hawaii and Europe. As her husband’s health began to decline, Nina once again became a care giver, making sure James’ every need was met. With his passing in 1998, she began a new chapter in her life: widow.

Even though James’s death was devastating to her, she never let it keep her from sharing her loving, caring nature with others. Everywhere Nina went, people were drawn to her because of her warm and friendly spirit. She always had kind, encouraging words for everyone and never spoke ill of anyone. Proverbs 16:24 describes the effect Nina’s words had: “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Nina had such a love for others. Her sparkling blue eyes always seemed to smile and say “I care”. Everyone who knew her loved her.

Nina was always content with her life. She loved being in her home doing the ordinary things a homemaker did. She was a wonderful cook. She always said she like to “keep house”, making sure things were clean and straight, but also welcoming. She was gracious with her words and generous with her love. She always wanted to make sure everyone felt “at home”.

In 2014, she suffered a fall resulting in broken bones which kept her from being mobile. She chose to live the rest of her life at Brightmoor Nursing Center. There she began a ministry of reaching out to others. Her caring nature just drew everyone to her. If she saw a resident who looked lonely, she would greet them with a friendly smile and an encouraging word to help ease their loneliness. Nina enjoyed many of the activities at Brightmoor, especially attending the Bible Study conducted by one of the nurses. She was very blessed to have made many wonderful friends with the residents and staff. She was also blessed to have received such loving care from everyone at Brightmoor Nursing Center and Brightmoor Hospice during the remainder of her life.

Nina is preceded in death by her husband, James, her parents and siblings and a nephew, “Little Jimmy”. She is survived by her son Randy and wife Carol (whom she loved like a daughter), nephew Larry (Gina) Cox and a host of beloved friends.

A “Celebration of her Home Going” will be held at 3:00 in the chapel of Conner-Westbury Funeral Home on Saturday, September 11, 2021. Visitation will be from 1:30 until the time of the service.
Michael Akin, Ruling Elder at Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Lakeland, Florida will officiate.

The family would like to thank Nina’s Brightmoor Family for taking such good care of her and for giving her so much joy and love.
If you would like to honor Nina Fisher, you may make donations to Searcy Memorial United Methodist Church or to the Activity Department at Brightmoor Nursing Center. You may also honor her with floral gifts.

 

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