Mr. Roosevelt Nicholson, Jr.'s Obituary
On July 6, 1935 in Meridian, MS, Roosevelt Nicholson, Sr. and Minnie Lee Hodges Nicholson brought into this world a precious gem that they announced to the world as Willie Nicholson, but the mid-wife decided to name him after his dad and put Roosevelt Nicholson, Jr. on his birth certificate. Willie did not know that this had occurred until he turned 18 and had to sign up to register for the military. Willie was educated in the Meridian Public schools and The Baptist Seminary. He was the third of nine children and was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Benny and Henry; a sister, Rosie; a grandson, Korey; a mother & father-in-law; three sisters-in-law; and three brothers-in-law. Willie confessed Christ at an early age and joined New Era Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. Anderson. Later he joined St. Elizabeth United Methodist Church where . he served faithfully until his death.
He worked in the health fieJd and was hired by Riley's Hospital for 35 years, later for a short amount of time he worked for the City and Midway. When he returned to the health field, he worked at Matty Hersee Hospital until they closed. He then went to work at East Mississippi Hospital and worked there until he retired in 1999. Willie also did private duty nursing at patients' homes. Willie was married to his wife, Dorothy Jones for 5 7 years and to this union five children were born, three daughters and two sons. He not only reared his children, but also helped his mother with his nieces and nephews, and also helped with children of his cousins. He was a member of the NAACP and worked diligently in Civil Rights, helping to get people registered to vote. He also made sure his children registered to vote as soon as they turned 18 years of age. Due to declining health, Willie was admitted to The Oaks Rehab and Healthcare Facility where he resided for the last five and a half years. Although in the Nursing Home, he still knew everyone. On Friday morning at twelve ten, his wife was called by a nurse and told that he had been beckoned by one of Jesus angels to lay down his suffering and come home and be with the Lord. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. Willie leaves to cherish his memories a loving, devoted and dedicated wife, Mrs. Dorothy Jones Nicholson, Meridian, MS; three daughters, Karen A. Nicholson and Karla R. Nicholson, Tuscaloosa, AL, Karmen Y. Nicholson, Alpharetta, GA. Two sons, Adrian R. Nicholson, Tuscaloosa, AL and Karlton E. (Althein) Nicholson, Goodyear, AZ; three sisters, Lela P. Mc Williams, Betty Durr and Sandra Aikins, East St. Louis, IL; one brother, Peter Nicholson, Chicago, IL; nine grandchildren, five great-grand children, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, staff at The Oaks and a nurse in particular that we lovingly refer to as our surrogate daughter, Mrs. Erika Naylor, who was always there to lend a helping hand.
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