Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

Mrs. Eunice Nicholas passed away peacefully Sunday, February 21, 2016 at Bowers Hospice House, Beckley, WV after an extended illness.

Born December 16, 1925 in Jefferson, (now Clarksville) VA, to the late Andrew and Julia Atkins Smith.

Mrs. Nicholas grew up in East Gulf, WV, attended East Kellivan Elementary School, and graduated from Byrd Prillerman High School in Amigo, WV. She moved and worked in New York, later returning to Beckley in 1955, where she met and married the love of her life, Clarence Nicholas.

She worked at Beckley ARH from 1955 until 1966 while attending Beckley College. Furthering her education, she graduated from Bluefield State College, Bluefield, WV with a Bachelor's degree in elementary education and a Masters plus 36 from Marshall University, Huntington, WV in Special Education.

She taught at Morton Reeves School, interior designing at Beckley College, millinery classes at the old vocational building in Beckley, and last at Woodrow Wilson High, retiring in 1988.

She was an Alpha Zeta Phi Beta Sorority member, and a 50-year member of Central Baptist Church. She loved all crafts and anything new to be learned. She will be remembered for her generosity and love for hats, suits and everything to match and also known for her excellent cooking until her health failed.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence F. Nicholas in October 2009.

Those left to cherish precious memories are her brother, Andrew (Jackie) Smith of Fredericksburg, VA; sister, Dorothy Rouse of Philadelphia PA; nieces; nephews; friends and special caregivers, Curtis Thompson and Barbara Coleman.

Funeral service will 12 noon, Saturday, February 27, 2016 at Central Baptist Church, Brooks and G. Streets, Beckley, WV with Rev. Brian Copney officiating. Entombment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, Prosperity, WV. Friends may call thirty minutes prior to the service at the church.

Condolences may be emailed to ritchie-johnson@suddenlinkmail.com

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley, WV.