Thomas "Tommy" William Nicholson

Tommy Nicholson, 69, was healed and went to live eternally with Jesus on March 18th, 2023, after a courageous fight with cancer. Tommy was born in Jackson County, NC and moved to Franklin when he was three. He worked for A&P in his teen years, Burrell Motor Company with Lynn's brother Keith, where he met Lynn. Tommy was a member of the Franklin Fire Department. Tommy married Lynn Nicholson and learned to square dance with family and danced with Lynn on team for many years. He later worked for Bryant Funeral Home and Jim Brown Chrysler Dodge. He and Lynn retired in 2011 and began a fun journey of mowing yards and antiquing. In 2017 they bought the business of the Classy Flea where he witnessed and was friends to many. He was saved at South Macon Baptist Church on a day that Macon Citizens for the Handicapped came and sang. They touched his heart, and he asked Jesus to be his savior that day. He was a deacon of Tessentee Baptist Church. He was a Christian not only in church but everywhere he went and to everyone he met. He loved and was loved by many. He always saw the good and the hope for folks who may have turned the wrong way in life and was never one to judge. He would always pray and encourage folks. Tommy was one to see when folks needed a helping hand in life and would always encourage, pray, and help folks when he learned about hardships they were having. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Janie Nicholson of Franklin, NC. 

He is survived by his wife Lynn Shope Nicholson of 45 years; daughter Kimberly Ledford and husband Ben,; granddaughters Hannah and Macie; aunt Lila Jo Queen of Sylva and cousins Billy Queen, Ricky Queen, Katrina Frizzell, Vera Banks, Charlie Ashe, Vaughn McClure, and many other cousins: sister in law Gail Shope, brother and sister in law, Wade and Carolyn Shope; nephew Wade Shope Jr, Tracy, Sydnie and Lucas; brother and sister in law Ronnie and Ruth Dowdle; niece Delena Raby and Bobby; great niece Chelsie Raby and fiance' Cody Villagomez; niece Crystal Dowdle, and his Tessentee Baptist Church family.  

Pallbearers will be Bobby Raby, Jeff Tallent, Joe Rogers, Chad Pilkerton, Mike Breedlove, Joe Breedlove, Jim Ledford, and Jason Francis.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Marvin Shepherd, Ronnie Dowdle, Wade Shope, Roy Carr, Wade Shope Jr., Guy Grant, Ricky Queen, Mike Wooten, Calvin Buchanan, Bill More, Dearl Ledford, Eddie Jones, Greg Soloman, Chuckie Bates, and Burt Raby.  

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you just love as you have loved us and to help someone along the way as folks have helped us. 

You may also make donations to Teen Challenge of the Smokies, 336 Living Hope Way, Franklin, NC 28734 or No Wrong Door, PO Box 1594, Franklin, NC 28744.

In ending, Tommy leaves one sentence with you to always remember, "Guard your testimony."

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Pine Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Carl Carpenter, Steve Reeves, Greg Rogers, and Lloyd Fish officiating. Burial will follow at the Woodlawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church.  Mr. Nicholson will lie in state at Bryant-Grant Funeral Home on Monday, March, 20, 2023 from 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Online condolences can be left at www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com

Bryant-Grant Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Nicholson family.  

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