Vivian Elizabeth Baird Nickerson Ygartua

Vivian (Baird) Nickerson Ygartua of Athens, Georgia passed away peacefully on February 2, 2026. Vivian was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a wonderful friend to many. Born on December 10, 1934, in Ila, Georgia, she was preceded in death by her parents, Icia Jeanette (Brown) and Noah Clyde Baird and late husband, Samuel Hinckley “Sam” Nickerson, Jr. She is survived by her three loving children, Samuel Hinckley “Nick” Nickerson, III (Gayla), Robert Baird “Robby” Nickerson (Nancy) and Tracy Elizabeth Nickerson Schaefer (James); four beloved grandchildren, Lauren Nickerson Smith (Charles), Samantha Nickerson Willingham (Thomas), Kylie Elizabeth Schaefer and Samuel Anthony Schaefer; and four precious great-grandchildren Palmer Smith, Charles Smith V, Lofton Willingham and Thomas Willingham V. She is also survived by her loving husband Carlos Lee Ygartua, sister Patricia Baird Chandler (Ronald), dear nieces and a nephew, and the many, many friends and long-lasting acquaintances she made over the years between her two homes in Athens, Georgia and eventually Vero Beach, Florida.

Vivian was raised in Athens, Georgia where she graduated as Valedictorian of her Athens High School Class of 1953 and later went on to attend classes at the University of Georgia. She met Sam when she was still in high school and the two got married in the summer of 1954 soon after he returned home from the Korean War. They were eventually blessed with three children to whom Vivian was deeply devoted and raised them on the fun benefits of athletics and the importance of quality education. Early in their young lives, she introduced them to a variety of sports through wonderful programs offered by the YMCA, Little League and YWCO; took them to many UGA football and basketball games; spent much time on the water at Lake Lanier and introduced them to tennis and even tennis tournaments with the support of local teaching pros and through the Athens Country Club. Most importantly, Vivian valued education and was an early supporter of Athens Academy from its inception and where all three of her children and two of her grandchildren would attend and graduate from high school. Vivian and her children were also members and regular attendees of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, a place filled with beauty and steeped in family nostalgia for her.

While raising children, Vivian initially worked with Sam at the family’s Athens Hardware Company but landed her dream job in the 1980’s as the Administrative Assistant for Coach Dan Magill, the legendary Men’s Tennis Head Coach at the University of Georgia. Together they ran numerous ITA and Junior tournaments including Crackerland and eventually made Athens and UGA the “Mecca of College Tennis” and the ultimate destination for the NCAA National Tennis Championships. Some of Vivian’s best days were spent at the UGA tennis courts, helping fill the stands with legions of loyal volunteers, hundreds of staunch supporters and cheering on her Georgia Bulldogs while watching high caliber, drama-filled college tennis matches.

After Sam passed in 1991, Vivian worked briefly at Athens Academy as a receptionist, a place that was near and dear to her heart and a wonderful way to stay connected with her two young grandchildren who were attending school. She also continued to pour herself into all things tennis, taking frequent trips with friends to the US Open in New York City, continuing to volunteer for the NCAAs at UGA and of course spending as much time as she could with her children and grandchildren.

In time, Vivian found love and companionship again and married Carlos Ygartua in the summer of 1998. Early on they enjoyed traveling making numerous trips to Paris for the French Open, attending many Davis Cup ties as part of the original “netheads” going to cities across the US, as well as several places across the globe including Spain. They also established a lovely second home community in Vero Beach, Florida where they made so many wonderful friends through social outings, civic engagements and parties with fellow residents at Caledon Shores. During their time in Vero Beach, Vivian also loved bringing her youngest grandchildren to the beach in the summertime to enjoy the ocean, collect shells, and take fun excursions to some of Florida’s famous attractions including the Everglades and the Kennedy Space Center.

Vivian will be terribly missed by all those who knew her and remembered for her love of all things Georgia Bulldogs, Athens Academy, Coca-Cola, her beautiful smile, warm laughter and incredible generosity. Her legacy of hard work, dedication, outgoing personality and love of tennis continues to live on in her dear children and grandchildren and hopefully in her great-grandchildren someday too.

Vivian’s family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude and sincere appreciation to Caregivers Denise Thomas and Tina Flores; Mrs. Christie Chandler Cook, Avery Village and the Traditions Health hospice team for all their love and care and to the many family members and friends who continued to reach out and “check-in” on her.

Currently, the family is planning a Celebration of Life for Vivian for a date later in the Spring.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Vivian’s honor to Athens Academy, The Athens YWCO or Emmanuel Episcopal Church.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.