Byron Grady Nicholson

Mr. Byron Grady Nicholson, age 92, of Otto, NC, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Sunday, July 7, 2024. Byron was born to the late Herby Dillard and Gazette Pauline Rodgers Nicholson on Upper Bell Creek in Towns County, Georgia.

 Byron was a proud Navy Veteran, an upstanding member of the Masonic Lodge and a Shriner. He was a long-time member of Newman Chapel Baptist Church. Byron had an adventurous life from his time overseas to his many travels, living in different places all over the country. His favorite places were his quiet home on Cache Creek in Colorado and his home in the Tryphosa Community. He had a full life from dairy farming to being a heavy equipment operator. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and an amazing gardener. He loved bluegrass and gospel music, telling stories and laughing, and enjoying one of his wife’s famous meals. Byron was smart, strong, kind, bighearted, generous, and always willing to help someone in need. He had a positive impact on so many lives. Byron was a devoted husband of 71 years, a loving father, and a grandfather that they could always count on. His legacy is also his greatest virtue, his fierce faith in God, his unquestionable love for his family, his joy in giving, and his pride in a hard day’s work.

 Byron is preceded in death by his loving wife, Margie Nicholson, his parents, two grandchildren, Joseph and Kristen Nicholson, and one brother, Dillard Nicholson. He is survived by his beloved children, Teresa Shields (Henry), Gary Nicholson, Timothy Nicholson (Robin) and Brenda Baker (Butch); his cherished grandchildren, Christopher Shields, April Brown (Kenny), Amy Harris (Waylon), Alicia Aughtman (Buck), Steven Nicholson, Justin Dye, Jason Dye (Kaitlyn), and Cindy Sarvis (Matt); his precious great-grandchildren, Byron Shields (Sydney), Travis Belcher (Jessica), Caleb Shields, Isabel Harris, Jonathan Aughtman, Adeline Harris, Rylee Cooper, Wyatt Harris, Daxton Cooper, Garrett Nicholson, Taylor Sarvis, and Lunara Dye; two sweet great-great-grandchildren, Adeline and Silas Belcher. Also surviving are his sisters, Olga Huscusson, Eoline McCoy, and Ruth Crawford (Burt) and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held Sunday, July 14th at 3pm at Newman Chapel Baptist Church in Otto, NC. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, 2-3pm. The Rev. Harvey Conner will officiate. Burial and Masonic Rites will follow in the church cemetery.

 Pallbearers will be Steven Nicholson, Byron Shields, Travis Belcher, Caleb Shields, Jonathan Aughtman, Wyatt Harris, Waylon Harris, and Justin Dye. Junior pallbearers will be Daxton Cooper and Garrett Nicholson. Honorary pallbearers will be Christopher Shields, Jason Dye, Kenny Brown, Buck Aughtman, and Matt Sarvis.