Shirley Joyce Miller Nicholson, age 89, of Blue Ridge, Georgia passed away on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 in Blue Ridge, Georgia. She was born on August 2, 1935 in Cherry Log, Georgia to the late Lake Robert Miller and Bessie Lougene Rogers Miller, the third of five children.

Shirley was saved, baptized, and joined Rock Creek Baptist Church at age 11. When her father, Lake, was drafted into the Army, serving in India until World War II ended, Shirley walked to Sunday School beginning at the age of 6.

She graduated from Gilmer High School and later Massey Business College, and married the love of her life, Glenn Edward Nicholson, Sr. on Thanksgiving Day, 1953. The marriage was the first wedding held at Rock Creek Baptist Church, with the total cost amounting to $30. The reception was held at the home of her mama, Bessie, who prepared Thanksgiving dinner for all.

Later, Shirley joined the First Baptist Church of Epworth, where Glenn belonged. The "Joy Sunday School Class" years were wonderful. God blessed the couple with three children, Sharon, Sonya, and Nick.

Shirley was co-founder of The Insurance Mart, and one of the first women to own her own business in Fannin County, in the late 1970s. Her friends and family knew her as a fashion-forward persona, wearing short boots with skirts, decades before it became common practice.

She was appreciated for being unapologetically unique and an example for being able to accomplish anything she set her mind to doing. Most of all, her faith helped her most in her very specific journey through life.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of 67 years, Glenn Edward Nicholson, Sr.; son-in-law, Ron Gudger; and siblings, Clara Bow Chancey, Ralph Miller, and Nolan Miller.

Mrs. Shirley is survived by her children, Sharon Gudger, Sonya (Hugo) Jacomet, and Glenn "Nick" Nicholson, Jr.; grandchildren, Jonathan Gudger, Seth (Madison) Gudger, Caroline Gudger, Andrew Bourne, Elliott (Britnee) Bourne, Tessa Bourne, Tiffany Amon, and Zach Nicholson; great-grandchildren, Jack Bourne, Lyle Bourne, and Penelope Bourne; and sister, Gloria Ann Vickory; many other relatives and dear friends.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at 2:00 PM from the Akins-Cobb Blue Ridge Chapel with Rev. Chris Clark officiating. Music was provided by Rev. Doug Simonds. Interment followed in the Epworth First Baptist Church Cemetery with the following gentlemen serving as pallbearers: Jonathan Gudger, Seth Gudger, Zach Nicholson, Elliott Bourne, Keith Nicholson, and Tate Miller. The family visited with friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 11:00 AM until the service hour of 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to First Baptist Church Epworth at P.O. Box 187, Epworth, GA 30541.

Condolences may be left online for the family at www.akinscobb.com.

Akins-Cobb Funerals & Cremations of Blue Ridge, Georgia is in charge of the arrangements.