Harold Edward NICHOLSON

The Rev. Harold Edward Nicholson, 82, of Covington, long time Virginia Pastor and Chaplain, died Tuesday, January 1, 2013. The Rev. Ed was born and raised in Charleston, W.Va., and was a graduate from Stonewall Jackson High School in 1948, where he served as President of the student body and was a member of the State Championship football and track teams. College graduation was from Concord College, where he met and latter married Okie Lee Shrewsbury, his wife of 55 years. After Concord, he earned his Mastor of Divinity degree from Colgate Rochester Crozer Seminary in Rochester, N.Y. After marriage, the pastoral services of Ed and Okie took them to Rappahannock County; then to Middleburg in Loudoun County and the Roanoke Valley. Ed also taught and coached in Culpepper and served seventeen years as Chaplain and track Coach at Fork Union Military Academy. After retirement, Rev. Ed served as Interim Pastor for several churches in the Roanoke Valley. As well as Edgemont ARP Church in Covington and Covington Baptist Church . Over the years, he accepted invitations to speak in well over one hundred churches of eight denominations.
Keeping in touch with high school classmates of the 1948 class was one of the Rev. Ed's greatest pleasures, and he took personal pride in their individual accomplishments. He often met with former classmates, many whom excelled in professional and service careers.
In addition to his parents , Harold Nicholson and Georgette Stevens Nicholson, he was preceded in death by one brother, John T. Nicholson and a sister, Frances L. McGrew.
Surviving are his devoted wife, Okie Lee of Covington; two sons, Warren and Evie Nicholson of Charlottesville and Dr. David Nicholson of Westminster, Md.; one daughter, Cynthia and Chris Bono of Fishersville; a brother- in-law, Sam McGrew of Charleston, W.Va.; a sister- in- law, Freda Nicholson, of Crescent City, Calif.; grandchildren, Alissa Nicholson; Holly Nicholson; Mark Nicholson; Katherine Nicholson; Rebekah Bono and Natalie Bono; and several beloved cousins, nephews, and nieces.
In accordance with his wishes, his body has been cremated.
The memorial service will be conducted at the Edgemont Presbyterian Church at 1 p.m. Saturday, January 5, 2013, with the Rev. Donnie Bowker and the Rev. Chris Polukius presiding.
The family will receive their friends one hour prior to service time at the church on Saturday. Memorial donations may be made to either Youth Ministries of The Edgemont ARP Church, 2306 S. Church Ave., Covington, VA 24426 or to Covington Baptist Church, P.O. Box 687, Covington, VA 24426. Arritt Funeral Home, Covington, 540-962-2201, is in charge of arrangements.