Ellinore (Stimpson) Nicholson

Ellinore von Thenen Stimpson Nicholson, aged 86, passed away on May 6, 2026, at her daughter’s home in Dexter, Ga.  

She lived a storied and meaningful life marked by devotion to her family, her community, her beloved Georgia 4-H'rs, and those fortunate enough to know her.  Ellinore, Elly, Mother, Mama Nick, and Mimi was a woman with a tremendous personality, who never met a stranger. Packed with enthusiasm for life, she was joyful, electric, loving and always had a smile for everyone she encountered.  

Ellinore was born in Aachen, Germany Nov. 21, 1939 at the onset of WWII, and after the war at ten years-old her family moved to the United States, living initially in Ft. Devens, MA.  These early years were quite formative and led to her jubilant personality and unique view of life.  

For years, she was the Society Editor for the Sandersville Progress weekly newspaper.  After moving to Dexter, she worked many years, again as a Society Editor for the Laurens County News, which kept her integrated in the community through her many feature stories, editorials, and coverage of community events.  

While all three of her children were active 4-H members, she entered the 4-H world through volunteering locally with the Laurens County 4-H program. 

She later served as a Georgia 4-H Volunteer leader Association (GVLA), secretary-treasurer, and president.  She led the district and State Student Board of Directors for twenty years, all the while coaching and mentoring these young adults and future leaders. 

This led to her being chosen to attend the National 4-H Leader Forum in Washington D.C. as the representative from the state of Georgia. Upon the conclusion of this forum, she was selected by representatives from the other 50 states to be the lead facilitator for the following year’s national forum.  

Concurrent to her volunteering, she was an employee of the Laurens County Extension Service.  This was the pinnacle of her working years in that it gave her the path to touch many lives of young people throughout the state of Georgia.  

Indeed, she lived and embodied the 4-H motto, “to make the best better.” 

Ellinore was married to Eubergene Nicholson for 52 years before his death in 2011.  She is survived by her children, Margret Nicholson Menzies (Alexander), Clayton Nicholson (Tonya), and Kimberley Nicholson Warren (John), her grandchildren Logan (Beth) Nicholson, Daniel Warren, Joshua (Marissa) Nicholson, Kristen (T.J) Holley, Seth (Lori) Nicholson, and Caroline Warren and five great grandchildren.

Graveside services were held at 4:30 PM on Saturday, May 9th at Dexter Baptist Church Cemetery. Rev. Kelland Waldrep officiated.

Mrs. Nicholson’s grandsons served as pallbearers.

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