Bernice Luella Nicholson
Bernice Luella Nicholson, 95 passed away Wednesday morning, December 27, 2023 in Raleigh, NC after an extended illness. She was born September 21, 1928 in Porter Falls, WV, the daughter of the late Mabel Lorane Swiger and Arnold Alvy Snider. She was one of 10 children.
Bernice graduated from Bristol High School and soon after married her late husband Lewis Junior Nicholson. They moved to Gary, WV and raised their family of four children. Bernice was active in the church and enjoyed the fellowship of her friends in the Thorpe Methodist Church for over 35 years. She was deeply involved in fundraisers for the church, the women’s auxiliary and her children’s school functions.
In 1984 Lewis and Bernice moved to Smith Mountain Lake where she became active in the Halesford Baptist Church. She was instrumental in setting up the “Memorial Dinner” with the Sunshine Ladies of the church who provide a meal after the funeral for the bereaved family and friends. This tribute is still happening to this day.
Bernice’s greatest joy was her children and grandchildren. Throughout the years she enjoyed hosting family gatherings at the lakehouse, cooking long-standing culinary favorites for her family and friends. She knew everyone’s favorites and often had them prepared for arrivals. Everyone looked forward to her wonderful chocolate and coconut cream pies, hot dog chili and homemade sourdough bread. She loved listening to country music and in her later years would spend hours watching country music videos.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years Lewis J Nicholson, one daughter Linda Sue Lasater, and former son-in-law Luis Cova. She is survived by two daughters Edwina Marlene Lanham of Springfield, MO, Loretta Jean Cova of Raleigh, NC, and one son Lewis Edward Nicholson (Susan) of Valley Grove, WV.
In addition she is survived by her grandchildren Desiree Stockton of Phoenix, AZ, James Kish (Melanie) of Lenoir City, TN, Meredith Montgomery (Clint) of Soddy Daisy, TN, Luis Cova of Raleigh, NC, Eric Cova (McKenzie) of Pittsboro, NC, Lauren Horn (Adam) of Pittsburgh, PA, and Brian Nicholson of Wheeling, WV. She is also survived by her nine great grandchildren Bradley and Alyssa Stockton, Jase and Mason Montgomery, Addyson, Madelyn and Arabella Horn and Magnolia and Penelope Cova.
Visitation will be held January 3, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Flora Funeral Home, 665 S Main St., Rocky Mount VA 24151. Services will follow at 11:00 with the Reverend Melvin Harris officiating. Interment will be at Mountain View Memorial Park in Boones Mill, VA. Memorial contributions can be made to Halesford Baptist Church, 2485 Lost Mountain Road, Wirtz, VA 24184.
Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center, Rocky Mount/Smith Mountain Lake.
