Nella was born at home on York St. in Conroe, Texas where they lived until they moved out on what is now called Kidd Rd. farm where they gardened and had cattle. One of her childhood joys was going to market with her father. After she married Arthur, they lived in Raymondville, Texas for a short time before moving back to Conroe, Texas. She worked in a bakery and other jobs while raising three daughters. After their divorce she then worked for Standard Coffee Company and married Mack McCormack and had a son before going back to school to become a RN. She loved being a nurse so much she did not want to retire from nursing. She then was the first woman in Texas to get her Fire Extinguisher license where she helped Mack with McCormack Fire Extinguisher Company. She was a Past Noble Grand of the Conroe Rebekah Lodge, Past Grand Conroe Odd Fellow Lodge, Past President of the Rebekah Assembly of Texas, and Past President of the LAPM. She had membership through the years at Mims Baptist Church, Northside Baptist Church, and Friendship Baptist in Jacksonville, Texas where she lived with Husband Joe Johnston. Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Texas, Center Hill Baptist Church, Calvary Baptist Church, and Victory Church in New Caney and was attending Grand Central Church in Conroe. She loved worshipping God and going to church to see everyone there. Going to Whataburger and visiting with her friends and eating her special made lunch as well as celebrating her birthdays there. Her grandchildren were a joy to her, and her great grandchildren blessed her so much she looked forward to seeing them. Through the years, she helped take care of many kids that needed a place to live some family, some just friends. She always wanted to help others and treated them all like her own children. Her favorite thing to say when ask how she was she replied, "The only way she could be any better is for her to be in heaven." If asks how she was feeling she would reply, "With her fingers." She loved purple and butterflies and if it was a purple butterfly, it was even better.
Nella is preceded in death by her father, Vernon Walker; mother, Astor Parker Walker Holmes; stepfather, Bob Holmes; half-brother, Julian Lee Walker; sister, Anita Lawson; stepbrother, Steve Holmes; step daughter, Barbara Nash; foster daughter, Gale Shannon Benge; husbands, Arthur Mixon, Mack McCormack, Joe Johnston; and grandson in law, Chris Chimene.
She is survived by her daughter, Alice Lolita Mixon Thompson; daughter, Angee Lizella Mixon Dillard and her husband Jerry Don Dillard Jr.; daughter, Artis Lenell Mixon Lothman McCormack; stepson, Bill McCormack and his wife Lanett McCormack; son, Will McCormack and his partner Stacy Elliott; grandchildren, Micheal Benge, Gayle Lynn Benge Cummings, JD Dillard III, Alice Lothman, Jade Dillard Chimene, Arthur Lothman, Allen Lothmen and his wife Morgan Lothman, Gina Thompson, Arianna Lothman, Logan Thompson; step grandchildren, Kathryn McCormack Stein, Joanna McCormack Martin, Madline Martin, Genevieve Martin, Anthony Martin, Sophia Stein, Mackenzie Stein, Taylor Cummings, Chris Cummings, Shane Cummings; great grandchildren, Max Burleson, Melody Lothman, Maverick Lothman, Adelaide Lothman, and Anna Lothman; Her lifelong friend, Betty Mixon and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be on Friday, June 14, 2024 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at Cashner Funeral Home in Conroe, Texas. The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2024 beginning at 2:00pm at Cashner Funeral Home in Conroe, Texas. Immediately following the service there will be a graveside service at Conroe Memorial Park.
