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Herod Nickerson, Sr., age 87, of Elkhart, Texas, departed this life for his eternal home in Heaven on Sunday, the 19th day of December 2021. Herod was born on the 1st day of September 1934, in St. Paul, Oakwood, Texas, to parents Emzy Nickerson and Melissa Johnson.
Herod was the oldest child out of nine. He united with the St. Paul Baptist Church at an early age. Herod’s childhood was filled with joyful school days and many hours farming on his grandfather’s farm. At the age of 18, Herod along with two of his buddies enlisted into the United States Army where he served 2 years. Although there was a war going on Herod had the privilege of residing in New York where he was a gun patroller. He went from Private to Specialist and received an honorable discharge after 2 years of service, after which he returned home in 1956.
Herod later moved to Houston, Texas where he worked in several capacities. In December 1956, he married the girl that caught his eye on a cotton row. On December 22, 1956, Betty Henry became Mrs. Betty Nickerson. Herod later moved Betty and Timothy, their oldest son, to Houston, Texas where they lived up until 1989. Herod retired twice, once from Uncle Ben’s Rice and later from Rainbow Bakery. All the kids in the family, including friends and playmates loved his job at Rainbow. He kept the entire gang filled with goodies.
Herod will always be remembered for his memory. He could tell you stories from great-grand days. He was a young man in an old man’s shoes. Kids all around him knew him affectionately as “Tony the Tiger” though his roar was more than his actions; he brought them so much joy. Herod served his community well. He worked as a volunteer in their school as well as the coach for the local softball team. Herod was a father to 6 boys and 2 girls, not including all the other neighborhood kids that came to his home.
Herod worked in his church as a Deacon until he moved to Palestine, Texas. He was a faithful member of First Elizabeth Baptist Church where he was loved dearly. After moving to Palestine, he joined South Union Baptist Church, then he joined Church on the Rock, and then Trinity Valley Community Church of Palestine. He was a faithful member until the pandemic came in 2020.
There are so many great memories of the man who never met a stranger. He loved his family and served his community. Herod was a cherished father and husband. His last days were some of his best days. Though his family knew the hardship it could cause they wouldn’t place him in a facility; they cared for him at his home in Elkhart; his home on the “Nickerson’s Place”. Herod worked hard to see that his wife and family would always have a place to call home. He worked and paid off 2 homes for his wife Betty and his children. Herod was a lover of caps of all kinds. He owned over 100 caps in his personal collection.
Herod is preceded in death by his father and mother; son, Kelvin Williams, Sr.; sisters, Martha Nickerson, Daisy Price, Zerdine Harmon; and brothers, Bernard and Jerome Nickerson.
Herod left cherished memories with his wife of 65 years Betty; sons, Timothy, Ronald, Stanley, Herod, John and Whaley; daughters, Wanda Nickerson-Lee and Brenda Cook; sisters, Mary Green and Linda Watkins; brother, Joe Henry Nickerson. Herod leaves a legacy of memories no one else can tell. He will be remembered by all. Herod leaves behind many aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and great-great-great-grandchildren.
Herod is gone, but one thing is for sure, the bread man will never be forgotten.
A funeral service to honor the life of Herod Nickerson, Sr. is to be conducted at Noon on Monday, the 27th day of December 2021 at Cornerstone Worship Center Church of God in Palestine, Texas with Pastor Craig Harris, and Reverend Steven Nickerson officiating. Interment with Military Honors will follow in Bluff Cemetery in Oakwood, Texas.
Friends are invited to visit with the family one hour prior to the start of the service at Cornerstone Worship Center.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Kenneth Cunningham, Jeryell Sparks, Anthony Nickerson, Maurice Watkins, Zachary Nickerson, and Samuel Jenkins. Honorary pallbearers are Timothy Nickerson, Ronald Nickerson, Stanley Nickerson, Herod Nickerson, Jr., John Nickerson, and Whaley Nickerson.
The family of Herod Nickerson, Sr. wishes to express their sincere appreciation for your kind thoughts and expressions of sympathy during this time of bereavement.
Funeral services for Herod Nickerson, Sr. are in care of Rhone Funeral Home, 3900 S. State Highway 19, Palestine, Texas
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