CLARA INELL NICHOLSON

Clara Inell (Hinson) Nicholson, 86, of Normalville, Pennsylvania, passed away Thursday, March 14, 2024, with the loving support of her family. Inell was born in Sumter, South Carolina, on Sept. 26, 1937, to William A. and Erlene (Watts) Hinson. She was one of eight children.
Inell is survived by a daughter, Cindi (Mark) Geiger; a son, Greg (Sherryl) Nicholson; a daughter-in-law, Chris (George) Gardner; a grandson, Zachary Scott (Emily) Geiger; a grandson, Devin Gardner; and her beloved cat, Sgt. Snugglepuss. Inell is also survived by her sisters, Frances DeGarmo and Willene Josey; her brothers-in-law, Jesse Nicholson, Herman Kosarski and Rob Washburn; sisters-in-law, Bessie Lovelace, Linda Kosarski and Ida Nicholson; and numerous special nieces and nephews both northern and southern. Inell was predeceased by her husband, Raymond D Nicholson Sr.; a son, Raymond “Dale” Nicholson Jr; brothers, Louie Hinson, William Hinson Jr., Thereon Hinson and Burnett Hinson; sister, Patricia Washburn; brothers-in-laws, Donald DeGarmo, Allen Josey, Teddy Nicholson, Leroy Nicholson, Merle Nicholson, Phillip Nicholson, John Clark, George Clark, Bryce White and WD Lovelace; sisters-in-law, Wanda Hinson, Mary Hinson, Hattie Hinson, Helen Nicholson, Evelyn Nicholson, Luella Nicholson, Arlene Nicholson, Vernice Simmons, Leona Clark, Minnie Clark, Ella Mae White and Ester George.
Inell attended Bethel School and Edmunds High in Sumter. After meeting and marrying her husband, Raymond (Nick) while he was stationed at Shaw Field Air Force Base, in Sumter, Inell spent the majority of her life in Normalville, where she loved everything but the Pennsylvania winters. She never grew to like those very much. She enjoyed her frequent visits back to the warmth of South Carolina. Quiet and very private by nature, Inell built her life around her family. Her children and grandchildren were everything to her. She engrained in them a VERY deep love of animals which were always part of her life and a definite Hinson trait.
Inell was an extremely competent seamstress having worked at Carilee and Union Apparel, even sewing for Christian Dior at one time. But her talent was showcased the most in the items she sewed for her home and almost all her daughter’s clothing which were unique and sewn with love. In her lifetime, Inell worked in the cotton fields and Anchor Hocking, also. She was, as her husband said, “the hardest working woman he knew.” Her family cannot stress enough what a hard worker she was. Inell was also an excellent cook of both Northern and Southern dishes that her family will never be able to replicate quite the way she made them.
In 1965, Inell was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and she enjoyed learning from the Bible. She was confident that Jesus gave his life on behalf of us all and that through his sacrifice all mankind can gain eternal life. Her favorite scripture was Joshua 1:9 which says, “Have I not commanded you? Be courageous and strong. Do not be struck with fear or terror, for Jehovah your God is with you wherever you go.” Inell lived her entire life courageously to the very end.
A memorial will be held on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at 3 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Route 119, Connellsville, PA, to which all her friends and family are welcome to attend. For those who wish to attend, but are physically unable to do so, please reach out to her family to get the online ZOOM link to her memorial service. At her request, interment was private and handled by Brooks Funeral Home Inc. in Connellsville, Pennsylvania. In lieu of flowers, friends can make a donation to the animal rescue organization of their choice. To offer a condolence or remembrance please visit www.brooksfuneralhomes.com