John Nicholson

John Ellis Nicholson, 88, of Spartanburg, SC, died Saturday, October 20, 2018, at White Oak Estates. Born August 4, 1930, in Norfolk, VA, he was the son of the late James Lloyd Nicholson and Pearle Allen Nicholson and was married 56 years to the late Dawson Thompson Nicholson. Mr. Nicholson was a retired executive of Spartan Mills where he served for 40 years. He was a graduate of North Carolina State where he received a degree in Mechanical Engineering and lettered in football. Mr. Nicholson taught Sunday School for more than 55 consecutive years, was a Bible lecturer at various churches in the upstate, leader of a men's home Bible study group for 8 years, chairman of the Administrative Board of 2 different Methodist churches for a total of 7 years, served 2 terms on the Methodist Conference Council of Finance and Administration for a total of 6 years, past chairman of the United Way Board, and member of the local Salvation Army board for 10 years, 3 years of which he was chairman. He and his wife were both individually presented the Sullivan Award from Wofford College in 1987. He loved repairing and building all sorts of machines and other mechanical devices and was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. Survivors include his four children, Ruth Ann N. Cash of Gaffney, SC, Nancy N. Pennell of Greenville, SC, Martha N. Horner of Fort Mill, SC, and John E. Nicholson Jr. of Spartanburg, SC; five grandsons; five granddaughters; and two great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held 1:00-2:30 PM Tuesday, October 23, 2018 in the Fellowship Hall at Trinity United Methodist Church, 626 Norwood St., Spartanburg, SC 29302, with services following at 3:00 PM in the sanctuary conducted by the Rev. Neal Y. Woods and the Rev. A. Mickey Fisher. Burial will be private. Honorary escort will be the John Nicholson Sunday School Class and The Seminarians. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Salvation Army, PO Drawer 2909, Spartanburg, SC 29304. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of John Ellis Nicholson please visit our Sympathy Store.