Obituary of Mary Ann Bailey Nicholson

Mary Ann Bailey Nicholson, age 81, of Irving, Texas, formerly of Pittsburg, passed away Wednesday, January 21, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. Mrs. Nicholson was born March 1, 1933 in Pittsburg, Texas to Royce Clinton and Estelle Comer Bailey. She attended Pittsburg Highschool and graduated with the class of 1951. In 1952 she married the love of her life and husband of 31 years, C.L. Nicholson Jr. Together they would raise 4 children, Stephen, Vicky, Teresa, and Karen. She was a homemaker and wonderful mother who loved her family, she enjoyed making holidays and birthdays special, gardening (especially roses), reading, was a marvelous cook and seamstress. Mary Ann especially liked spending time fishing, gardening, camping and going to the lake with Jr. Their cabin at Cedar Creek Lake was a special retreat for them. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Stephen Nicholson and wife Lisa, Vicky Green and husband Kelly, Teresa Merriman and husband Gerome, and Karen Benson and husband Tim. She also leaves behind 8 grandchildren; Amber Merriman Torti and husband Daniel, Nathan Merriman and wife Heather, Erin Merriman Froehner and husband Jay, Jacob Benson and wife Traci, Ryan Merriman and fiance Bethany Lewis, Andrew Benson, Adam Nicholson, and Jordan Nicholson. She is also survived by 6 great grandchildren; Corbyn, Trevor, Savannah and Ashtyn Torti, Parker and Walker Benson, with the impending arrival of Addalyn Grace Froehner and Carson Ryder Dean Benson this Spring, she also leaves behind her sister, LaFerne Ribble, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents, loving husband CL Nicholson Jr, and 6 brothers; Hershel, Dean, Donald, Orell, Joe and Royce Bailey Jr. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 2:00 PM at Erman Smith Funeral Home. Visitation with the family will be the hour prior. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Matlock Place and Hospice Plus for the special care they gave their mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, and to her special neighbor Ann Allen.