Mary Lou Nicholson

Mary Lou Thornton Nicholson, 85, of Albany, GA died Monday, February 4, 2013 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital after a long battle with failing health. Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 3:00 PM at St. Patrick's Episcopal Church. The Rev. Jay Weldon will officiate.

Mrs. Nicholson was born October 15, 1927 in Forsyth County, NC to the late Rex and Zelma Thornton. In her younger years she was the catcher on a women's softball team coached by her father in High Point, NC. She married the love of her life on November 19, 1947 and traveled with him and their children as a military family until her husband's retirement from the United States Navy. In late1970 the family relocated to Thomasville, GA and in early 2000, she and her husband moved to the Albany area to be closer to their children.

Mrs. Nicholson was a loving wife, mother & grandmother. She was fondly called "Granny" by her grandchildren and family. She enjoyed baking and cooking and was a caterer before retiring. She was the church hostess for several years at Dawson Street Baptist Church and was involved with the youth program. After moving to Albany, she became a member of St. Patrick's Episcopal Church. She was a member of the Fleet Reserve Auxiliary and was a life time member of the Deep River Friends Meeting House, High Point, NC.

Survivors include her husband of 65 years, James H. Nicholson of Albany, GA, two sons, Larry M. Nicholson and his wife, Joyce of Marianna, FL and James M. Nicholson of Rock Hill, SC, two daughters, Cathy Stocks and her husband, Steve of Lee County, GA and Lisa Schexnayder and her husband, Dale of Albany, GA, her brothers and their wives, John and Virginia Thornton, Jack and Louise Thornton and Roger and Nellie Thornton, a sister, Delphine Thornton Surrat all of High Point, NC, fourteen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother, Rex E. Thornton, a daughter, Rebecca Lynn Nicholson and a grandson, James Lloyd Warmack.

The family will receive friends on Friday from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Mathews Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the St. Patrick's Episcopal Church Building Fund, 4800 Old Dawson Road, Albany, GA, 31721.