Lola Nicholson

Lola Mae Nicholson, affectionately called "Lora" by her dad, was born January 22, 1931 as the 12th child of 13 from Laura and Floyd Gradford in Calvert (Paul Bayou), Alabama, Washington County.

She was raised on her parents' farm, where her childhood chores included gathering potatoes, corn, and eggs, and picking cotton. She was also responsible for combing her sisters Ivernell and Eleanor's hair. Lola grew up in the church and going to Sunday School was instilled as part of her upbringing. She was baptized in the creek behind Friendship Baptist Church at 11 years old. One of her favorite songs she loved to sing was "Wade In The Water."

Lola was educated in Calvert as a young child and later went to Prichard to attend Mobile County Training School. She completed a 6-week program in home nursing studies which began her love of nursing, graduating high school in 1947 at 16 years old.

After completing high school Lola moved to Cleveland where her older siblings had already settled. Facing adversity when she applied for nursing school at City Hospital, Lola was told that "Southern students don't do good at learning," and she was rejected from the program. She persisted and was eventually hired as a nurse's aid at St. Luke's Hospital. She was later certified as a practical nurse and accepted a position at Polyclinic.

Lola Mae met and married Robert Nicholson in 1951. To that union she birthed five children: Robert, Deborah, Janet, Leon and Annette. She became a private duty nurse for Dr. Drake's wife, and later was hired by the Country Nursing Home where she retired as the Night Shift Supervisor in 2000.

Lola enjoyed many things such as singing, sewing, knitting and traveling back to Prichard, Alabama to visit her mother and family. Everyone that met Lola was embraced by her beautiful smile, caring heart and generosity. Lola was a woman of great determination, strength and compassion.

On May 1, 2025, Lola peacefully made her transition. Lola is preceded in death by her parents Floyd & Laura; and siblings Addie, Mable, Floyd, Lawrence, Leroy, Ida, Boykin, Warren, Birtion, Arthur, Ivernell and Eleanor. She leaves to cherish her memory her loving children Robert (Edna), Deborah (Marc), Janet (Hugh), Leon (Mariam), Annette (Jeffrey); 18 grandchildren; four great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

"THANK GOD FOR BLESSING ME"

Lovingly Submitted

The Family