Bobbie Verdell Nickerson, 92, of Taylor, Texas, passed away on Feb. 27, 2025. She will be remembered as a faithful friend, mentor, and fierce and worthy advocate whenever the need arose.
Sixth of eight children born to the union of sharecropper/blacksmith Silas Edwards, Sr. and domestic worker Pinkie Edwards, hard work, self-sufficiency and Christian faith were values instilled at an early age. Bobbie was a naturally, bright, resourceful, and “persuasive” young woman who excelled in school.
With support from her brother Silas Jr. (a WW2 Veteran), Bobbie enrolled at Prairie View A&M College where her future husband also attended. She and Leon Nickerson of Corpus Christi were wed in 1955. The union flourished for 63 years, yielding four children, six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Bobbie began her teaching career at O.L. Price Elementary School where she had also attended as a child (then known as Blackshear elementary). She transferred to Taylor High School in 1965 and continued her passion for opening hearts and minds through education for a total of more than 30 years.
In addition to being a working mother of four, Bobbie served as pianist at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church and Zion Chapel Baptist Church for a combination of nearly 40 years, having begun playing as a teen. Amidst all these responsibilities, she also managed to earn a master’s degree in education from Prairie View A&M University.
She is survived by sister Frankie Zachary; daughters Carla Nickerson-Adams and Danita Nickerson; grandchildren Bianca Petroy, Kristen Torres (José), Sigele Nickerson-Adams, Philip Nickerson (Laura), Bryce Peterson and Reid Nickerson; six great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, “adopted” children and cherished friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leon, daughter Sharon Nance and son Justin Nickerson.
Funeral service, entrusted to A Life Celebration by Franklin, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 8, at The First Baptist Church of Taylor, 300 N. Robinson Street, Taylor, Texas. Viewing begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 8.
