Fessie Nickelberry

of Fessie Nickelberry

Fessie was born April 23, 1916 in Marietta, Texas to Ellis and Virgie Henderson; she was the second child born to this union. She attended Bethlehem School. Fessie was raised in the church and around the age of 10 was baptized in a local river and became a member of Floyd Valley Baptist Church. As a child, she worked in the fields picking cotton, peanuts, and peas. She spoke of riding a horse several miles with 50-pound bags of corn going to have meal made.

At the age of 15 she met the love of her life, Curtis “Bab” Nickelberry. Fessie fondly speaks about them meeting on her way to school one day. Curtis boldly told her that he’d been watching her for a while. They courted for about two years and in November of 1933 they wed. To this union a daughter and two sons were born. In the late 1940’s Curtis & Fessie moved their young family to Oxnard, CA.

Fessie was a homemaker and enjoyed providing love, guidance and homecooked meals for her family. For over twenty-five years, Fessie and Curtis extended their love and shared their home with numerous foster children. Her family was her greatest love and she was affectionately called “Madea” by her children.

Fessie and Curtis were original members of Greater Hope Church of God in Christ, Oxnard, CA where they faithfully served until being called to Morning Star Church of God in Christ, Oxnard, CA where she attended until her death. She was affectionately called “Mother Nickelberry” and loved fellowshipping with her church family.

Fessie enjoyed spending time outdoors tending to her yard, garden and walking. For over thirty years, she walked with a senior group in Oxnard. She was faithful in walking three days a week, 2 miles each day and only missing due to in climate weather in which she continued to participate just past her 100th birthday. She often exclaimed that a good walk is good for your heart!

Fessie departed this life on Saturday, April 4, 2020. She was just eighteen days shy of her 104th birthday. She was preceded in death by her husband Curtis Nickelberry. She fondly told family and friends, “They don’t make men like him no more, and he was hard to beat”! She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Sallie Jones and son Collins Nickelberry; her parents Ellis and Virgie Henderson; four sisters, Daisy Robinson, Nealie Driver, Lois Walker, Flois Washington and two brothers, Willie G McCoy.

She leaves to continue her legacy and reminisce fond memories son Ellis Ray; granddaughters: Gloria Gude, Shirley Morris, Evelyn Jones, Rhonda Jones, Patrice Jones, Sabrena Stice, Sonya Green, Felicia R. Nickelberry, Monica Nickelberry, Denise Nickelberry, Lawahana Talbert and Tressie Nickelberry; grandson Hollis Jones; grand and great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and a host of relatives.