Kelly Nixon

Kelly Dawn Tompkins Nixon, age 49, of Cape Girardeau passed away Monday, Dec. 21, 2020, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

Kelly was born June 2, 1971. On Nov. 9, 2019, she married Thomas "T.J." Nixon. He survives.

She is also survived by her parents, Tommy Tompkins of Williamsville, Missouri, and Sharon (Jim) Doyle of Piedmont, Missouri; three children, Madison Renfroe of Bloomfield, Missouri; Natalie Renfroe of Blytheville, Arkansas; and Nicholas Renfroe of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; two brothers, Tracey (Marsha) Tompkins of Puxico, Missouri, and Shannon (Rebecca) Tompkins of Williamsville; and sister, Joy (Bryan) Ferguson of Patterson, Missouri.

Kelly spent her life in the furtherance of education. She began her teaching career at the Greenville, Missouri, school district in 1992.

While teaching and raising her children, she earned her master's in education from Arkansas State University. She went on to earn a specialist degree and doctorate degree in education from Saint Louis University.

Most recently, Kelly was teaching at Franklin Elementary School in Cape Girardeau.

Kelly loved the challenges and rewards of teaching and building relationships with her students. Kelly also enjoyed traveling and spending time with friends and family. She kept the same pen-pal for over 40 years and traveled to England to visit her friend in person.

Kelly will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.

Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. today at White-Sanders Funeral Home in Qulin, Missouri.

Funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Jim Sanders officiating. Burial will be in Qulin Cemetery at Qulin.

Condolences may be shared at www.whitesandersfuneralhome.com.