Mrs. Bonnie Jean (Hamrick) Nicholson Hauser, 93, of Fayetteville, passed away 5, October 2018. Bonnie was born on October 26, 1924 in Ellenboro, NC to the late Elijah and Effie Goforth Hamrick—the youngest of their eleven children. She is a graduate of Appalachian State Teachers College and upon graduation in 1946, she taught home economics for two years in Laurel Hill, NC.
In 1947, Bonnie married the late Thomas L. “Tom” Nicholson, Sr., of Wagram, NC, with whom she had two children and to whom she was married until his death in 1986. She served as a social worker in Hoke County from 1948 through 1952 and, after relocating to Fayetteville in 1956, resumed her career with the Cumberland County Department of Social Services. She retired as the department’s Director of Adult Services in 1987 after 31 years.
In retirement, Bonnie maintained the work ethic and earnestness for which she was known. She remained active in Highland Presbyterian Church where she was bestowed an Honorary Life Membership in the Women of the Church in 2000, was a devoted member of the Emma Lee Howie Sunday School Class, and served on the Crisis Committee. Along with her family, she was, for years, involved in the church’s Thanksgiving dinner ministry.
Within the community at large, she maintained a leadership role with the Salvation Army’s Love Lunches Program, served as a volunteer at Highsmith-Rainey Memorial Hospital, and was a member of the Flora MacDonald Garden Club. Bonnie was a devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother who remained a fixture at her family members’ significant events. In addition to her siblings and first husband, Tom, Bonnie was preceded in death by her second husband, E. Lee Hauser to whom she was married 1997-2007.
She is survived by her son, Thomas L. “Buster” Nicholson and daughter-in-law, Luanne, of Fayetteville; her daughter, Jeanne Nicholson Harbison and son-in-law John of Fayetteville; four grandchildren: Ginny Huff and husband Matt of Monroe, GA; Thomas L. “Tommy” Nicholson, III and wife Erika of Jacksonville; Vicki Harbison Calloway and husband Hud of Raleigh; Frances Nicholson Westmoreland and husband Kris of Charlotte; and six great grandchildren: Emma Nicholson (6), Lilly Huff (3), Elliott Nicholson (2), Evelyn Nicholson (2), Hudson Calloway (1), and Thomas Westmoreland (8 mos). Private graveside services will be conducted Monday October 8, 2018 at Spring Hill Cemetery in Wagram, NC. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday October 8, 2018 at Highland Presbyterian Church with Dr. J. Ernest Johnson and Rev.
Chip Stapleton officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Highland Presbyterian Church. Services entrusted to Sullivan’s Highland Funeral Service & Crematory.
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