Georgia Nicholson
Georgia Nicholson, 95, of Chattanooga, passed away on Tuesday, April 27, at Hospice Care Center of Chattanooga.
A beloved wife, mother, Gran and Great Gran, aunt, and friend to many, Georgia was the mainstay of her family. She was a gracious hostess, an avid Atlanta Braves fan, and most important, a faithful woman of Jesus Christ who always made sure her family was part of a church family everywhere they lived.
Born in Bogalusa, LA, she loved her native state and was always ready to celebrate Mardi Gras. After graduating as valedictorian of her high school class, she worked at Olan Mills Studio in Tuscaloosa, AL, where she met B. E. (Gene or Nick) Nicholson. They married in 1947 and began an almost 50-year marriage that took them to six states and involved at least 10 moves as part of his advancing career in the photography industry. Their last move in 1964 was to Chattanooga, where they were finally able to put down deep roots in the community and make many close friends.
Georgia was an active member of Brainerd United Methodist Church, serving on several boards and committees, and a devoted Circle member. She never missed a Christmas Eve service, often reserving an entire row of seats for her growing family. She was a member of the Brainerd Women’s Golf Association and Kosmos Women’s Club, and she was a docent or fundraising volunteer for the Hunter Museum, Signal Centers, and Siskin Children’s Institute.
Preceding her in death were her husband Gene; parents, Melvin and Gladys McMillan Brock; sisters, Betty Gill and Pansy Toney; stepson Gene Nicholson, and grandson Michael Rue.
She is survived by her daughters, Mary (Walt) Rue, Atlanta; Anne Exum and Susan McCarter, Chattanooga; brother, George (Alice) Brock, Mobile, AL; daughter-in-law Barbara Nicholson, New Wilmington, PA; grandchildren, Andrew (Natalie) Exum, Dallas, TX; Jordan McCarter (Keith Becklin), Chattanooga; Jonathan (Bethany) Rue, Washington, D.C.; Mary Cady (Brian) Bolin, Nashville; Bob (Sabrina) Nicholson, Wellesley, MA; Kim (Mark) Powell, Mamora, NJ; Kristen (Jeff) Fowler, Murphy, NC; Kathryn (Autumn) Porubsky-Rue, Springfield, MA; great-grandchildren, Ben, Isaac, and Rose Exum; Caroline Ford, Harper Bolin, Emerson Rue; Joshua, Noah, and Seth Fowler; Abby and Jake Nicholson; Lucas and Reese Powell; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends.
Visitation and a memorial service will be held on Monday, May 3. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the atrium of Brainerd United Methodist Church, 4315 Brainerd Road. A service in celebration of Georgia’s life will follow at noon in the church sanctuary. A private family interment will be held at Chattanooga National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be made to St. Baldrick’s Foundation (stbaldricks.org) or Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Dr. 37416.
Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 404 S. Moore Road.