Leroy Cheek Nicholson

LEROY CHEEK NICHOLSON, departed this life as a Master tailor on August 11, 2025, at the age of Ninety-Four years. He was born in the Parktown community of Warren County, Warrenton, NC as the fifth child of six children to the late Samuel and Carrie Cheek Nicholson. Preceding him in death, his wife of 65 years, Jessietta Kelsor Nicholson and a daughter Ronica Nicholson Reid; three brothers, Samuel "Buster" Jr., Bernice and Wilbur "Bay" two sisters: Ruby Jones and Clare Hunt. He leaves to cherish his memory: his daughter, Ruchena Kathy Nicholson (Robert) Fitzgerald and son Duke Cook; Grandchildren: Tracy T. Jenkins, Christopher Reese, Stephanie Chukwuemeka, Ronald L. "RC" Crews II, Shalita Nicholson, Cynthia "CeCe" Nicholson; 13 Great Grandchildren and 2 Great Great Grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. Special friend LaTanya Williams, and special friend, William "Billy" Stubblefield, and a host of other family and friends. Leroy graduated from John R. Hawkins High School in Warrenton, NC and graduated in 1951 from North Carolina A&T college, in Greensboro, NC with a degree in Business (tailoring). Leroy was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War where he became an expert in the installation and repair of wired communications and switchboards all over Japan and in the combat zone of Korea. He received numerous service medals (Korean Service, Bronze Star, National Defense) before being honorably discharged in 1954. Leroy came to Huntington in 1954 to work at George H. Wright Men's Store and later at Robert Hall Men's Store for a period totaling 7 1/2 years. He was later employed by Sears Roebuck as a master tailor for more than 30 years. Leroy also met Jessietta Kelsor, who was to become his wife in 1955. He was married to Jessietta Kelsor Nicholson (deceased) for 65 years. Leroy was known throughout the City of Huntington and many parts of the surrounding area as a master in tailoring. He fitted and sewed for many distinguishing people, Mayors, Police chiefs, Pastors, owners of car dealerships. Leroy had a gift for meeting and talking with anyone and everyone and exhibiting his kind, gentle, easygoing, and outgoing heart. He is depicted in the Fairfield Mural on 8th Avenue as one of the legends of Huntington. Leroy was truly a "one of a kind man". He will be forever loved, forever missed and forever remembered with the warmest thoughts. Some of his most enjoyable moments was spent with family and friends. He always had a hug and smile for everyone and there was no stranger that Leroy did not meet. Leroy was affectionately known by his family as Dad, Granddaddy and Pop Po. Leroy served as a Usher and President of the Usher Board for over 60 years and was a faithful member of the Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. He was a member of the Social Club; Owls/Revelers, VFW Post 1064; and spent the last Saturday of each month having breakfast with a group of Veterans (breakfast buddies) up until his passing.
A Home Going Service will be 12 p.m., Saturday, August 23, 2025 at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Franklin Murphy Sr. officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, Huntington, WV. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.
Ferrell-Chambers Funeral Home, Huntington, WV are entrusted with arrangements.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ferrell-chambersfuneralhome.com