Carrie Lee Nixon Holliday

December 24, 1927 – February 21, 2024

Carrie Lee Nixon Holliday, 96, transitioned from this life on February 21, 2024 at 10:35 p.m. at Kimball Place in Portland, OR.  She was born on December 24, 1927 in Elm Park, Louisiana to the late Alex and Francis Nixon.

For many years Carrie worked in the area of construction, a field that led her to Yakima, Washington and Anchorage, Alaska. Carrie met her husband, John Holliday, in 1957. They were joined in matrimony in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Arriving in the pacific northwest in 1961, she came seeking employment and a closer relationship to a cousin she never met. Shortly after arriving in town, Carrie joined the Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church, becoming involved in numerous affiliations: B.T.U. Youth Training Union, Sunday School, the education department, Pastor’s Aide Club, Christian fellowship, and The Mission Department. Within all these groups she has held numerous positions, such as president, vice president, and secretary.

Her most remembered event at Vancouver Avenue came during one of the church’s annual revival meetings, where Reverend E. Edward Jones of Shreveport, Louisiana was the guest minister.

Mother Holliday had many community affiliations such as, participating in the Northwest Regions Affiliates, NACWC, The Portland Chapter of the National Council of Negro Women, The Portland Federation Women Organization, The ADAH Chapter no.6 of the Eastern Star (Grand Worthy Matron), The Oregon Association of Colored Women, and Youth Affiliates. Mother Holliday was also coordinator of the Breakfast Fashion Show and past chairperson for the State’s Birthday Group.

Her proudest job came from working with the La Femmes Club, an organization of which she was a member for decades. Her personal involvement with the association was with the young women in the area of etiquette, style, and education. She said giving back was everything. She was quoted saying “Do unto others what you would have them do unto you.”

She leaves to cherish her memories three sisters: Bernice Nixon Stevenson, and Rosanell Nixon of Houston, Texas, and Lillie Mae Nixon Talbert of Mt. Airy, Louisiana.

Three grandchildren: Yolanda Sherrie and Darian Alonzo Nixon, and Taineshia Kenfelle S. Chambers.

She is also survived by her esteemed Pastor J.W. Matt Hennessee, and The Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church Family; Simone; long term care givers Betelhem and Yemisrach Nedi, Sue Ofstad, and Wendy; Rozalind Darby; host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. Mother Holliday was preceded in death by her only child/son, Jessie Lee Nixon; her siblings Cora Lee Foster, Flozell Cooks, William Nixon Jr., Bessie Lee Nixon, Viola Lee Nixon Buckley, Jerry Lee Nixon, and Ora Lee Nixon Allen.

Locally in Oregon hjer service was held Tuesday, March 5th, 2024, 11AM at Vancouver Baptist Church, Portland, Oregon.

Additionally, a viewing and memorial service will be held Tuesday, March 12th from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Desselle Funeral Home, 263 Eddie Robinson Sr Dr, Baton Rouge, LA 70802.