Helen Francine (Terry) Nicholson

Helen Francine (Terry) Nicholson passed away on August 8, 2024 to be with her Heavenly Father.  Helen was born January 19, 1929, in Floyd, Texas, to Frank and Valera Terry.  She graduated from Floyd High School in 1946 as the valedictorian of her class.  She then attended East Texas State University.

Helen worked in Greenville, Texas, as a secretary for a local attorney.  She met the love of her life, Nick Nicholson, at the Greenville Church of Christ.  They were married on July 7, 1952.   After a weeklong honeymoon in Colorado Springs (which included a tour to the top of Pike’s Peak), they moved to Freeport, Texas.  Nick taught school and coached football in Freeport, and Helen worked at Dow Chemical Company.

In 1956, Nick and Helen moved to Abilene, Texas, where Nick became the head football coach at Abilene Christian College.  Also, in 1956, Nick and Helen were blessed with the birth of twin girls, Carol and Cheryl.  A few years later, Helen returned to school and received her Bachelor’s degree from Abilene Christian in 1963.  In 1964, Nick and Helen added a son, Lee, to their family.

Helen taught general business, accounting, and typing at Abilene Christian High School for three years; however, her favorite job was taking care of her family.  She loved gardening and cooking, and when time allowed, she loved to read and “sometimes fish,” especially if she wanted to be with Nick.

Faith was very important to Helen.  She was grateful for the Christian example of her parents and was so thankful for Nick’s Christian leadership in their home.  Her greatest joy was knowing that her children loved the Lord and that they each found “fine Christian” spouses.

Nick and Helen attended the University Church of Christ in Abilene until they moved to San Antonio in 2009, where Helen graciously cared for Nick as he battled Alzheimer’s disease.  After Nick’s passing in 2010, Helen returned to Abilene.

Helen was a strong woman who overcame many obstacles in life without complaint.  In 1958, she was diagnosed with tuberculosis and was hospitalized for a little over a year in the sanatorium in San Angelo, Texas.  For the first six months of her hospitalization, she was not allowed to have contact with the twins.  The twins were two years old when Helen was diagnosed and turned three while she was still in the hospital.  Nick loaded up the car each week with the twins and their tricycles to see Helen in San Angelo.  The twins have memories of Helen standing at a window in a red robe, waving to them.  She was a wonderful encourager, reminding us that no matter what we face in life, we can get through it with the Lord’s help and strength.  Helen modeled this daily as she walked through life with strength and dignity.

Helen is survived by twin daughters, Carol Nelson and husband, Jeff, of Abilene; Cheryl Lucas and husband, Guy, of Abilene; a son, Lee Nicholson and wife, Helen, of Argyle Texas; five grandchildren: Nathan Nicholson and wife, Paulina; Nelson Nicholson; Haley (Lucas) Stewart and husband, KJ; Christopher Nelson; and Nataleigh (Nelson) Comparan and husband, Derrick; and two great-grandchildren Palmer Stewart and Eloise Comparan. In addition to Nick, she was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Jack Terry and Ray Terry; and two sisters, Geraldine Lawhon and Jeanette Braden.

The family will receive visitors from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. on Monday, August 12th, at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut, Abilene, Tx.  A celebration of life will follow the visitation in the Piersall chapel beginning at 2:30 p.m. A private family graveside service will be held later that day.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in Helen's memory can be made to the Nick and Helen Nicholson Endowed Scholarship at ACU. You may give online at https://bit.ly/NicholsonScholarship , or mail your gift to ACU Box 29132, Abilene, TX 79699-9132 and note that it is in Helen's memory.