Algie Nixon

My Forever Trues

Every woman has a story, every woman has her trues,

Here’s some things about me, here’s my life long news.

My prayer to God was for a good husband, then a boy, then a girl,

My hearts desire, to bring each one, into this blessed world.

A family of four is what we were, and we’ll always be,

Today, in heaven there’s one, then two, now, I make three.

There’s one soul remaining, she makes four,

In Gods time we'll greet you, then at heaven’s door.

My final words, I’ve something to say,

I’m saying farewell, I’m on my way.

I leave you each a miracle, blessings are abound,

Up in the skies and near you, hear my roaring sound.

Rolling like thunder, and sometimes like rain,

Perhaps inconvenient, with joy comes a little pain.

My breath in the wind, a ray of sun on your skin,

You won’t know why, how or when.

As mysteries fall from heavens stairs,

God hears your heart, and answers your prayers.

Know that I’m near you, I’m not at all far,

Look to the sky each evening, search the north star.

My heart has not stopped, it still beats strong,

It beats for my Jesus, all the day long.

Remember my smile, think of my face,

My home going’s peaceful, as I depart this place.

God gave Stephanie orders, all for her to trace,

Now has my soul in heaven, filled mercy and grace.

A long time lived, many years on this earth,

OMG! It’s been 94 years since my birth.

My love Stephanie, my family and friends,

My life is not over, in heaven life begins.

No life is not over, my destiny shan’t cease,

My Glory, my Savior, now I rest in peace.

Now back to my story, back to my trues,

I’ve earned my wings, I’ve paid my dues.

Algie (Donald) Nixon is my name. To know where I’m going, is to know where I’m from. I come from a seed that was planted a long, long time ago. Nathaniel, my daddy, planted it in my mother one cold, cold winter night. That’s right I come from the seed of a man named Nathaniel, a spiritual man, a prideful man. Anyone who knows me, knows I carry his spirit in my heart, and I believe, great men do great things and my daddy was a great man. I was born in the south, and in the south a young girl introduces herself by association of her father; I am Nathaniel’s daughter. I come from a great man, and I come from an even greater Father. Know that my mother and father were born during a time that birth certificates were not issued to black people in this country. I say to each and every one of you, know thy seed and from whence thy come. Nathaniel’s seed formed a life. That life was carried by my mother Glennie, for nine long months, through a season of heat, southern sweltering, summer, hazy days that made her feet swell and ankles triple in size. She weathered steamy aired summer nights, her body perspired making the bed linen damp as she slept. But my mother carried me. She carried me. My life’s trues started when I entered this world, was born to the union of Nathan, and mother Glennie Donald in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, August 1, 1929. Here’s a little memo from my heart. There’s no need for my obituary to be written in third person when first person will do. I like tradition, but I prefer my trues. This is my life. This is my voice. This, is who I am. The Donald family leaves a powerful footprint in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Born one of six children and a bonus sister. Born to this union were Eugenia (Jean), Frank Lester, Hubert, Alma, Audrey, our hearts included a bonus sister named Grace. They all pre-deceased me. The feel of my brothers and sisters lives runs strong through our legacy, because the Donald Family footprint has presence of breadth. The world will recognize the Donald lineage not only because of the way we stand, but by the principles we refuse to sit. Educated in the Rocky Mount public school system. I often spoke about how small the school building was during my elementary school years, it consisted of just one room. Barely impressed by the school system, I promised myself if I ever had children that I will make heartfelt sacrifices for my children to get a good education and go farther than what I had accomplished. After all, raising children, means just that, raising, children higher. I stood to give my children all of me, every ounce of energy I could muster. I gave my ever-loving last breath, up and until I embarked on my journey home to rest with my Father. But, in my beginning, I can’t forget how my trues took form… …while a young girl, I realized my life’s assignment. It wasn’t about fame or fortune. It was about serving. My job was to provide a strong platform so that others would stand. I stepped into my assignment, first the role of sisterhood then womanhood. I helped build a bridge of sisterhood for our future generations. I learned how to survive while my family was poor. I learned how to live when we did well. A heartfelt true includes, when I was a teenager, we’d go to the family farm and I picked cotton with my mother. I hated it so much, I wanted to cut my fingers off. Humble beginnings builds strength and character in a woman who’s true to herself. Next, mother taught me how to wring a chickens’ neck. She’d say, “This is your meal tonight, you better learn how to do it, or you won’t eat!” I just couldn’t wring a chickens’ neck like my sisters. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. But I did enjoy eating it, fresh, crispy fried chicken - there’s nothing like it! The Donald blood and kinship linked us together, the souls of my sisters are bonded forever more. Alma, Audrey, Jean and Grace, we bonded in sisterhood. Raised on homestyle southern cooking, we each brought our recipes as we moved north a little; but Rocky Mount was my heartbeat and would always be my home. Much like my ancestors, I followed the north star. It lead me to south Philadelphia, where I settled near my aunties and family who traveled north before me. A small apartment above a barber shop is what I called home until I met a handsome young man in a takeout restaurant. His name was James. We smiled, talked and he asked me out on a date. Later we married in a small ceremony in his mothers’ home on Reed street. Zion Baptist Church became our family church for years to come as we raised Jimmy and Stephanie. We moved from south Philly, where I worked in a lamp factory; to West Oak Lane where I worked for Penn Novelty and eventually to Somerton where we built our lives for over fifty years. My desire was to move to a neighborhood where where public schools were the best. I always wanted my children to get a good education and do well in school. James and I were married for just over sixty years. My husband James pre-deceased me, in 2014, as did my son Jimmy in 2021. I used my heart to make all my life’s decisions. I did my best, my hardest work was to make sure my house was always filled with love, care, happiness, and that my pots on the stove, brought love and care to my kitchen table, just in case you stopped by. My joy was in cooking my fried chicken, an old southern favorite was the chopped barbecue, collard greens, broccoli rabe, potato salad, and my secret chitlins’ for those who welcomed eating them. For the neighborhood kids who drank up my iced tea before I got home from a hard days work, I always knew who you were. A mother always knows. I never needed fame or fortune, I just wanted my husband, my children, my sisters and loved ones, to love and enjoy life as much as I did. I did my best to show you how and pray that you all were watching and learning. Now it’s your turn to stand on the platform and build a bridge of love and support for our next generation. My favorite pastime was the time I spent with you. He called my name, and I answered in my sleep. Returning to my heavenly home on July 5, 2024. As I prepared a meal or a beverage for you, know it was my way of letting you know how much I loved you. Now a place has been prepared for me in Gods kingdom. I’m off to join my heavenly Father, my husband James, my son Jimmy, my sisters and loved ones. I surrendered and I have passed my earthly torch. There isn’t much more to say except I love you all dearly, in my Algie way. Forever remembered for her, flashy smile and classy dress, Algie always liked the best. Her strength was in her will, her determination to work hard for her family and give them her best every day. She started out humble and evolved to meager means, by the time she reached the finish line, her cup runneth over with riches and glory divine. She leaves to cherish her memory daughter, Stephanie; daughter in law, Jennifer, two granddaughters, Christina and Jamie; grandson, Charles (Amira); great granddaughter Alayna, nephew, Marvin; nieces, Theresa (Eddie), Shirley, Alisa and a host of great nephews, nieces family and friends. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a graveside service for Algie on Saturday, July 13, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Green Mount Cemetery, 4301 N Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19140. A memorial service celebrating Algie’s life will be held at a later date