Obituary of Vanessa Ann Folks, 70
June 6, 1955 – March 31, 2026
In the care of Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home
– Vanessa Ann Nix Folks was called home by her loving father on March 31, 2026, in Paso Robles, Ca, surrounded by her children and sisters after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
Born in Comanche, Oklahoma, on June 6, 1955, to W.R. Nix and Juanita Prentice Nix, she was the youngest of three children. In 1957, the family relocated to Coalinga, California, where she attended school and was involved in many extracurricular activities. In 1969, she fell in love with a handsome cowboy from Priest Valley named George, and their story began. After graduation, George enlisted in the U.S. Air Force but wasn’t leaving the love of his life behind so they married on June 12, 1971. They were stationed at Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino, California, where their first child, Christy Sue, was born. Following George’s honorable discharge in 1972, the family returned to Coalinga/Priest Valley where they welcomed two more children, Audra Lee and Jed Patrick William.
Vanessa was a very active mother, involved in all her children’s activities, including volunteering at their schools, coaching sports, and teaching catechism. She was later hired as an elementary school librarian with Coalinga Unified School District, which inspired her to pursue a bachelor’s degree and a teaching credential at Chapman University in Lemoore. She taught elementary school in Coalinga until George’s position with Unocal relocated them to Grayling, Michigan in 1995 and then to Midland, Texas, where she continued her teaching career. In 1998 they decided to return to the Central Coast to be near their three children and settled in Nipomo, where she taught at several schools before establishing a long-term position at Dorothea Lange Elementary School. She retired in 2017 and they purchased horse property in Paso Robles. The family would like to thank the staff of Ada’s Lodges for the incredible care they provided Vanessa for the last 5 years.
Vanessa was the proud grandmother of seven grandchildren, who meant everything to her. She attended every significant moment in their lives — from volleyball courts and soccer fields to water polo matches, dance and cheer performances and 4‑H/FFA livestock shows.
Vanessa is survived by her three children: Christy Jaureguy (Jean Louis), Audra Carr (Jason) and Jed Folks (Keri), and 7 grandchildren: Kylie, Trevor, Brady, Morgan, Logan, Dawson and Luke; her sister, Cinda Ramalho, sister-in-law, Linda Buffington, and 3 nieces and 3 nephews. Preceded in death by her husband, George, parents, W.R. Nix and Juanita Nix Leek and brother, Dwight Nix.
Funeral Services will be held Monday, May 4, 2026, at St Rose Catholic Church, 820 Creston Rd. Paso Robles with a rosary at 10 a.m., followed by a funeral mass at 10:30 a.m. There will be a reception following at Cal Coast Brewery. Flowers for the service or donations to the Alzheimer’s Association in her name are both appreciated.
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