Linda Venable Nix, age 81, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 17, 2026.

Linda was born on July 3, 1945, in Swannanoa, North Carolina, (where her father was stationed at the end of WW II) to Nelson A. Venable and Joanna Smith Venable. She was the eldest of four girls and grew up in a large and loving extended family, which dates back to the Knoxville area’s original settlers.

Throughout her youth, the family home was where ’The Rock’ sits today on the University of Tennessee campus. She was a teenager when UT took the home and her family moved to Kingston Pike. Linda attended Staub Elementary, Tyson Junior High and West High Schools. She graduated from the University of Tennessee where she was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. Family times were good times: vacation home in Naples, Florida, church gatherings, Young Life Camp and large Christmas Eve traditions were times she treasured.

During the 1970’s, Linda was a top listing and sales agent in Knoxville Real Estate Market. In 1977 she met her future husband, William (Bill) Nix at a Realtor MLS banquet. They were married on July 21, 1979 and raised two daughters - Sarah Venable and Joanna Sutton, as well as (at least) 14 dogs and 6 horses.

Linda loved the beach and the mountains. She, Bill and the girls, along with friends and family, enjoyed many good times in beautiful places. Ski trips to Colorado and summer trips to the Florida beaches and Keys, were among her favorites.

Until the girls reached school age, Linda was an integral part of Bill’s real estate, construction and development business. She managed the sales office and helped design, decorate and market many homes, condos and lots. Later, she gave her time and efforts to each school her daughters attended. She was a staple in the PTO and was a part of the founding team for the Bearden High School Foundation. She helped with the girls sports such as horseback riding and swim team, never missing a chance to score a meet or time a race.

Throughout her life, Linda embodied a true Volunteer and servant spirit. She was involved, not for the credit, but to make things better. As a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church, she never hesitated to step up and lead. She was involved in United Methodist Women, Mobile Meals, mission trips and countless other committees and activities within the church.

Linda was a loving wife, sister, mother, grandmother and friend, always willing to help where she could and support the success of those around her. During her last years, she enjoyed cheering on her grandsons’ playing basketball, baseball and swimming.

Linda was preceded in death by her mother and father. She is survived by her husband William ‘Bill’ Nix, daughters Sarah (Brandon) Ward, Joanna (Rhett) Lankford, her sisters Martha Bradley, Barbara Venable and Rebecca Ferguson, and her four grandsons - Thompson Ward (13), William Lankford (10), Bennett Lankford (8) and Anderson Ward (8).

To honor Linda, contributions may be sent to STAR (Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy of Riding) 11800 Hwy 11E, Lenoir City, TN, or First United Methodist Church, 3316 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the excellent, caring staff at Covenant Health, Ft. Sanders on the 8th floor North, 3rd floor infusion and the Thompson Lab. They are wonderful folks, many of whom have been Linda’s friends and support team for the last 3 years.

A Memorial Service will be held at First United Methodist Church at 2:00 pm on Sunday, October 18, 2026. The family will receive friends following the service