Edward Allen Nicholson, 79, of Etowah, NC, died Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at home with his family.  He was a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend to many.

A lifelong resident of Henderson County, he was born on October 19, 1932 to the late Evan Surrette Nicholson and Julia Morgan Nicholson.  He was also preceded in death by two loving wives, Euva Sentelle Nicholson and Sue Bell Nicholson; and brother, Glenn Evan Nicholson.

A member of the Masonic Lodge since 1964, he was a member of Dunn’s Rock Lodge No. 267, A.F. & A.M. in Brevard, NC.  He retired from Olin Corporation in Pisgah Forest, NC in 1984 after 37 years of service and was a long-haul truck driver for 10 years.  He was a member of Etowah Baptist Church and a Navy Veteran

He is survived by his brother Kenneth Brian Nicholson; daughter, Jewel Nicholson Adcock and husband John of Etowah; son, Alan Keith Nicholson and wife Donna of Tuxedo; grandchildren, Dustin Nicholson and wife Faith of Zirconia, Casey Nicholson and wife Tiffany of Tuxedo, April Nicholson Carty and husband Austin of High Point, Brenton Adcock of Etowah and Torrey Adcock and wife Kim of Etowah; great-grandchildren, Cooper Nicholson, Lexy Nicholson, Colton Nicholson and Miley Nicholson and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service to celebrate his life will take place 3:00 pm, Friday, July 27, 2012 at Etowah Baptist Church with Reverend Brian Henderson and Reverend Tommy Owen.  Visitation will be at the church Friday, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.  Burial will follow at Little River Baptist Church Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, 600 College St., Oxford, NC 27565 or www.mhc-oxford.org or to Etowah Baptist Church, Promise Center, P.O. Box 326, Etowah, NC 28729.  The family will receive friends following the service at his home in Etowah.