Dale P. Nixon

Mrs. Dale Polk Nixon, 79, of Concord, passed away peacefully Sunday morning, August 2, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

A Celebration of Dale's Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 14, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church of Concord. Family and friends will gather for fellowship immediately following the service in Davis Hall.

Born on November 13, 1946, Dale was the daughter of the late Elizabeth Mills Polk and the late O.T. Polk, Jr.. A lifelong resident of Concord, she spent nearly eight decades investing her heart and unmistakable voice into the community she loved.

Dale was an award-winning author, columnist, and storyteller. To those fortunate enough to know her personally, she was much more. Dale was a devoted wife, loving mother, fiercely loyal friend, mentor, and volunteer. She possessed the rare gift of making every person she met feel seen and valued.

Words were Dale's life's work.

For decades, she built an extraordinary career as a freelance writer. Dale wrote for newspapers, business journals, radio, magazines, and countless community organizations throughout North Carolina. She wrote for the Charlotte Observer, Cabarrus Neighbors, PineStraw Magazine, O.Henry Magazine, Lowe's Motor Speedway, and many others, becoming one of the region's most recognizable and respected voices.

In 1985, she began writing what would become her signature work - her column, Hitting Home. Dale drew from her own experiences with family and friends to introduce a little humor or sentiment to everyday situations.

Her talent did not go unnoticed.

Dale received nine First Place Awards, three Second Place Awards, and five Third Place Awards from the North Carolina Press Association. Her book, Hitting Home, earned First Place honors from the North Carolina Press Association and was later recognized nationally by the National Federation of Press Women.

Devoted to her community, she volunteered with countless civic organizations, championed arts education in local elementary schools, and freely gave her time wherever she saw a need.

Yet of all the chapters of her remarkable life, perhaps none reflected Dale's character more beautifully than the final one.

When diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Dale faced her illness with extraordinary courage and dignity - she refused to let her diagnosis define her. Instead, she embraced every opportunity to help others. Those closest to her often heard her ask:

"Will this help someone else?"

She participated in clinical trials and groundbreaking research through MD Anderson Cancer Center, Duke Cancer Center, and Carolina BioOncology Institute, believing that every treatment she received might provide a breakthrough for another family someday. She understood that while she could not choose her diagnosis, she could choose her legacy. Her willingness to participate in research was one final act of generosity - a gift offered to people she would never meet and an imprint that will remain for generations.

Above all, Dale treasured her family.

Left to cherish her memory are her devoted husband of 51 years, Bob Nixon; her best friend/daughter, Hollis Nixon of Charlotte, NC; her sister Connie Polk of Concord, NC; her brother, Ted Polk, and eldest daughter, Edie Barnhardt; along with an extended family of relatives, dear friends, colleagues, readers, and neighbors whose lives were forever enriched by knowing her.

In keeping with Dale's lifelong commitment to helping others and in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to pancreatic cancer research at MD Anderson Cancer Center (P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486) or MDAnderson.org/Gifts.

Although Dale's final column has now been written, her story is far from over.

Dale's greatest legacy was never found on the printed page. It was written upon the hearts of the countless people she loved, encouraged, inspired, and served.

And that story will never end.