Dan Nicholson

Rev. Dan Nicholson, 82, of Asheville, went to be with the Lord on Friday, April 8, 2011 at the John F. Keever Hospice Solace Center. He was a native of Buncombe County and was the son of the late Tom and Lillie Holifield Nicholson. He was also preceded in death by his five sisters. He was retired from Burlington Mills after 45 years of service. Rev. Nicholson was a staunch supporter, and friend of Richland Baptist Church, where he served as associate pastor since 1957. He is survived by his wife of 63 years Daisy Murray Nicholson; son, Robert Danny Nicholson and wife Geraldine; two daughters, Sheila Holland and husband Walter, and Sharon Blankenship; brother, Charlie Nicholson; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, all of Asheville. A funeral service for Rev. Nicholson will be at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday at Richland Baptist Church with his longtime pastor and friend, Rev. Jack R. Gassaway, and Preacher Josh Ingle officiating. Burial will follow in Ashelawn Gardens of Memory. His family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave.