Lewis J. Nicholson

Lewis J. Nicholson, age 91 of Wirtz died peacefully in his sleep, after an extended illness in the early morning hours of November 9, 2016. Lewis was born on May 25, 1925, in Salem, WVA. He was raised and educated in Salem, completing a degree in education, at Salem College. He served in WWII prior to attending Salem College and was severely wounded on Anzio, in Italy ending his participation in the conflict. On graduation from college, Lewis left Salem and relocated in southern WVA with his wife Bernice and first daughter Linda, working as a math teacher, at Gary High School, in Gary, WVA. Gary was the center of a large US Steel mining complex, where Lewis changed careers accepting an employment opportunity with the corporation. While working for US Steel, Lewis and Bernice continued building their family, including daughters, Edwina, Loretta and a son Lewis Edward. While raising his family in the thriving coal community, Lewis worked as a key member in the large corporate maintenance division. After a thirty year long career in the coal mining business, he retired, relocating to the Smith Mountain Lake area south of Roanoke, VA. Maintaining a rigorous fishing schedule and entertaining family and friends at his lake home, Lewis could usually be found working around his property and greeting friends and family with a warm welcoming smile and extended hand familiar to all that came by. Lewis is survived by Bernice, his wife of 69 years, his three daughters and son, as well as seven grand-children and four great grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at Halesford Baptist Church, 2:00 p.m. Saturday with Pastor Melvin Harris officiating. Interment will follow in Mountain View Memorial Park. His family will receive friends one hour prior at the Church. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Halesford Baptist Church. Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center, Rocky Mount.