Linda Lee

Linda Heinzman Nix, loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, teacher and inspiration to all who knew her, passed on to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008, after a hard-fought and persistent 2 1/2-year battle with ovarian cancer. She was 49 years of age. Linda was born in Lima, Ohio, to Homer and Dorothy Heinzman. Moving to Texas in 1964, Linda grew up in Arlington, where she attended public schools, graduating from Arlington High School in 1977. During the summers, she worked as an employee of Six Flags Over Texas and enjoyed it very much. She attended Texas Tech University, where she met her future husband, Larry Nix. She graduated with honors, earning a BBA in accounting. Linda and Larry married in 1979 and moved to Fort Worth. In 1985, they settled in Mansfield. Linda earned her CPA designation and worked a total of 11 years for Peat Marwick, Mitchell, CPAs, and Bass Enterprises of Fort Worth. After spending several years at home raising children, Linda earned her teaching certification and began teaching high school business classes at Mansfield and Summit high schools, as well as the Ben Barber Career Tech Academy in the Mansfield ISD. She was the organizing force in the establishment of the Mansfield ISD's chapter of the National Academy of Finance and was active until her retirement. Education proved to be her passion and she enjoyed teaching for 11 years before being forced into early medical retirement this past summer. After moving to Mansfield, Linda was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church and enjoyed many lasting friendships there. She and Larry have three wonderful children and a delightful 29-year marriage. Together, they traveled extensively, and started and owned several businesses. A highlight of their marriage came in 1999 when they and their children took a 61-day self-guided automobile tour of Europe, camping along the way. This proved to be a memorable experience for the entire family, creating bonds that will last their lifetimes. Linda was preceded in death by her grandparents, Dee and Osborne Linguist and Walter and Ethyl Heinzman, and a cousin, Jeanne Winker. Survivors include her Husband, Larry R. Nix; daughter, Stephanie Nix Sanford and husband, Mat; daughter, Ashley Nix; son, Preston L. Nix; parents, Homer and Dorothy Heinzman; brother, Gregg Heinzman and wife, Sherri; brother, Scott Heinzman; parents in law, Jimmy and Beverly Nix; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws and friends. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Linda to any of the following: Mansfield First United Methodist Church, Mansfield ISD Education Foundation, American Cancer Society or Mansfield Multi-scholarship Fund. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Linda Lee please visit our Sympathy Store.