Joy Lee Prillaman Nickelston
Joy Lee Prillaman Nickelston, 90, of Roanoke, formerly of Bassett, Va., passed from this life on August 2, 2024, at Our Lady of the Valley.
She was born in Franklin County, Va., on March 12, 1934 to the late Reverend H. L. Prillaman, Sr. and Velma Young Prillaman. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Franklin D. Nickelston and brothers, H.L. Prillaman, Jr. and Douglas A. Prillaman.
She graduated from John D. Bassett High School and Perry Business School. She began her career in banking at The First National Bank of Bassett (now Wells Fargo) and after serving as an Assistant Cashier and Manager of the Collinsville branch retired with 40 years of service in 1992.
At her death, she was a member of Mill Creek Baptist Church. Prior to Mill Creek, she was a member of Bonsack Baptist Church for 11 years where she was a member of the Faithful Branches Sunday School Class. She also worked with the Food Bank, served as the Greeter Coordinator and was a member of the WMU and the Senior Choir. Prior to moving to Roanoke, she was a longtime active member of Fort Trial Baptist Church where she had served as Treasurer for 38 years. She had also served as the church pianist for a number of years and was active in Sunday School, WMU and the children’s music program. She served with the Henry County Baptist Association and was a volunteer at the Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Susan Nickelston Johnson and husband, Donnie; one granddaughter, Cora Beth Akers and husband, Curtis, and two great grandchildren, Klayton Noah Akers and Harrison Wayne Akers, all of Roanoke.
The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to the staff at Our Lady of the Valley over the past four years and Good Samaritan Hospice for their compassionate care of Joy.
The Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 2:00 pm at Fort Trial Baptist Church with the Revs. Joey McNeill, Tony Beach and Danny Quirin officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:30pm to 1:30pm. Interment will follow in Roselawn Burial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Fort Trial Baptist Church, 170 Oak Level Road, Stanleytown, VA 24168 or Mill Creek Baptist Church, 11475 Lee Highway, Fincastle, VA 24090.
Arrangements are by Bassett Funeral Services.
