Carolyn Lucille Nickerson

Carolyn Lucille Nickerson, age 83, died peacefully on February 4, 2021, at home after an extended period with Alzheimers. Carolyn was born Saturday, January 1, 1938, in Phoenix, Arizona, the daughter of Oscar and Dorothea Walls. Carolyn was baptized on April 17, 1949, at First Methodist Church in Tempe, Arizona.

Carolyn graduated from Tempe High School where she was 1956 State doubles champion in tennis. After high school, she spent the summer in Los Angeles where she graduated from the Airline School of the Pacific. She then attended Arizona State University, joined Kappa Delta sorority, and carried a dual major in Home Economics and Teaching, where she bragged, "I was the top of my class." She graduated from Arizona State University after completing her student teaching in Yuma.

In 1959, Carolyn married Jon Nickerson in Tempe, Arizona, and they moved to Wellton, Arizona later than year. Although she never worked outside the home, she was the consummate farm wife: accountant, bookkeeper, parts runner, cotton trailer hauler, and farming advocate. She served as President of Yuma Country Cotton Wives in 1985, 1989, 1990 and led the Dome Valley 4-H Club for nearly 20 years. She was an Election Clerk in Wellton and Sunday School teacher.

In 2017, she received The Heritage Award from Yuma County Farm Bureau, and with Jon jointly received The Heritage Award from Arizona Farm Bureau.

Carolyn thoroughly enjoyed family and especially little kids. She organized desert cookouts, Christmas plays, and many more activities - always with kids and creating a memorable experience in mind. But the most important thing in her life was witnessing to young children about Christ. Carolyn put Jesus in the hearts of children through her Vacation Bible School efforts. It was a yearlong project and a labor of love. She never did anything halfway.

Carolyn is survived by her husband Jon Nickerson; her sisters, Gayle and Glenna; children, Neil, Robert (Debbie), Karen Walter (Mark), and Lisa; six grandchildren and many other relatives and close friends.

She was preceded in death by her son, Jon Paul.

There will be a public Memorial Service on Saturday, February 13, 2021, at 10:30 am at First Southern Baptist Church in Wellton, Arizona. There will also be a private graveside service for immediate family members at the Desert Lawn Memorial Park on Wednesday, February 17, 2021.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent in her name to First Southern Baptist Church, PO Box 575, Wellton, AZ 85356; Compassus Living Foundation, 10 Cadillac Dr, #400, Brentwood, TN 37027; or Hospice of Yuma, (928) 343-2222.