Nellie (Nell) Ruth Rhoton

Nellie (Nell) Ruth Rhoton, 87, of Amarillo, TX peacefully passed away January 16, 2026.

Services will be at 1:00 PM, Monday, January 19, 2026 in Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel with Byron Williamson officiating. Private burial will be in West Park Cemetery in Hereford, Texas. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.

She was born April 7, 1938, in McCaulley, TX, to Charles Walton and Ottie Lee Johnson. One of eight children, she grew up in a strong Christian home in West Texas, graduating from Hamlin High School. Shortly after high school, Nell met and married the love of her life, Joseph Robert Rhoton, Jr. They raised three kids, moving around West Texas, living in Amarillo, Littlefield, and Lubbock before settling in Hereford in the late 60’s. They were active members of the community and First Baptist Church in Hereford until August 2011, when they moved to the Harrington Assisted Living in Amarillo. Robert and Nell joined First Baptist Church in Amarillo after their move.

Nell worked at Hereford State Bank (First Financial Bank) for most of her career. Starting as a bank teller, she became a bank officer in the accounting department by the time she retired. Her successful career was important, but her true passion was family, faith, and cooking. She showed her love through baking and cooking for her family, co-workers, and her church family. Her children remember the holidays with all the counters and refrigerators full of delicious cakes, pies, and candies. Every holiday or family gathering included made-from-scratch meals with many choices of sides and always her homemade bread rolls.

Nell is preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her grandson, Eric Behrends; and her granddaughter, Tiffany Mixon. Nell is survived by her children Teresa Behrends and husband Bob Behrends, Dale Rhoton and wife Sharon Rhoton, Lynette Mixon and husband Wiley Mixon, six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren plus one more due next week.