Judy Carol Nihiser

Judy Nihiser, age 69, resident of LaFayette, Georgia, passed away on December 25, 2025 at CHI Memorial Hospital, Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Mrs. Nihiser, daughter of the late George Andrew Lawson, Jr. and Betty Elizabeth Burns Lawson, was born December 22, 1956 in Chattanooga. She was a member of Glory Road Baptist Church in Rossville and an active member and operated the food pantry of the American Legion Auxillary Post #214 in Rossville, Georgia, Mrs. Nihiser managed The Legions Café and had previously owned and operated Kadis Korner Restaurant in Ringgold, Georgia. Mrs. Nihiser was very active in her community and strived towards helping people , particularly the veterans. She started "Breakfast with Santa" in Rossville that many children remember. While at home, she enjoyed feeding squirrels, cooking for family and friends; sewing; collecting and reading cook books; and watching baking shows on television. Most of all, she looked forward to spending quality time with her family. The family remembers her as a lady who was always helping others, having a strong passion and concern for veterans.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Joseph Nihiser; daughter, Sherrill Jean Doyal; sisters, Sherry Robinson and Sherrill Jean Lawson; brothers, Robert Lee Lawson, Sr. and Jim Lawson.

She is survived by one daughter, Kadi (Stephen) Justus; two sons, Ricky (Lindsay) Doyal Jr. and Corey (Amanda) Doyal; fiancé Jack Staples; eight grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; numerous other relatives and friends; and her dog, Buddy.

Funeral services are scheduled at the Chapel of W.L. Wilson and Sons, Funeral Home, 555 West Cloud Springs Road, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia on Friday, January 2, 2026, 12 p.m. with Reverend Ryan Ralston officiating. Interment will follow at National Cemetery, Chattanooga, Tennessee. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, January 1, 2026 from 4-8 p.m. and also 11 a.m. -12 noon on Friday, January 2, 2026 at the funeral home.

Arrangements by W.L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Home, 555 West Cloud Springs Road, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia.

In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to Battlefield Veteran Foundation inc. at any Builtwell bank location.

Condolences may be left at www.wilsonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Wilson Funeral Home Wilson Funeral Home Ft. Oglethorpe Ga.