Candace “Candy” Lee Nicholson, 61, went to be with her Lord in the cool evening rain on July 24, 2021 in Kirksville, MO. With her at home on the pond, were the family and friends who had celebrated during a two-day picnic and lobster boil, which Candace had lovingly planned.

Candy was born on January 17, 1960, in Rocky Mountain, NC to Viva and David Hansen. They preceded her in death as did her daughter, Enjuli and sister, Sharon. She married Charles “Chuck” Wesley NIcholson IV on June 22, 1998 in Memphis, TN, where they lived until relocating to Kirksville in 2019.

She is survived by her husband, Charles, her sons Brian (spouse Kelly) of Centennial, CO, Mikle (spouse Kerri) of Ft. Worth, TX, Wesley of Murfreesboro, TN, and Gabriel of Memphis, TN. Also surviving are her sister, Barbara and sisters-in-law, Debra and Kathleen.

She treasured her grandchildren Ashlin, Aydin, Ciani, Celai, Charlie, Zeus, and Bishop and pets Beau, Oreo, and the Late Great Jett.

Candy loved and was loved immensely as she fulfilled her chosen mission of caring for others. Keeping her home was an act of devotion. Fresh laundry was a gift; ironing a soothing ritual; managing her boys and supporting their athletic pursuits, a challenge accepted. She made the details of daily life a pleasure.

Her passion for structure and doing the right thing defined both her personal and professional life. Like her husband Chuck, she focused on human resources in her work, including 17 years at Kelly Services, where her well-honed organizational skills were valued by clients and colleagues.

She was kind and understanding with the capacity to love unconditionally. She was fiercely devoted to her children and was an extremely generous person.

Candy loved her husband’s humor and her laughter fueled his jokes. She loved to prepare for Christmas and to shop - for everything - all year round. She loved a really good romance novel, though the Bible was her steady companion. She was spiritual, spirited, feisty, and fun. Her ride of choice was the roller coaster. “You get more out of it.*

“We love you, Mom. We know you are in a better place and that your pain
and suffering has ceased. Thank you for everything, Mom. We will see you again.”

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. August 14, 2021, at Collierville Presbyterian Church, 202 W. Poplar Ave., Collierville, TN 38017. Luncheon will follow at the church.

With special thanks to Candy’s loving nurses, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be sent to:
Missouri Cancer Associates, George W Rea Cancer Treatment
603 W. Pierce St.
Kirksville, MO 63501

*A quote from Grandma in Parenthood --
You know, when I was nineteen, Grandpa took me on a roller coaster. . . . Up, down, up down. Oh, what a ride! . . . I always wanted to go again. You know, it was just so interesting to me that a ride could make me so frightened, so scared, so sick, so excited, and so thrilled all together! Some didn’t like it. They went on the merry-go-round. That just goes around. Nothing. I like the roller coaster. You get more out of it. -- Grandma in Parenthood