Valentine Ashmore Nicholson
March 2, 1931 - January 16, 2026
“Whoever Liveth and Believeth in Me Shall Never Die” -John 11:25

Valentine Ashmore Nicholson, the beloved daughter of George Willie Ashmore and Essie Edwards King, was born on March 2, 1931, in Port Gibson, Mississippi. Although she was her mother’s only child, she was a loving sibling to her blended family of four sisters-Bertha Ashmore, Laura Ashmore Williams, Willie B. Ashmore, and Pearl Ashmore, and two brothers- Lutio (Luke) Ashmore, and George Ashmore, Jr. She was resident of Madison, Florida, for 60+ years. Because of the queenly demeanor, she was always respectfully regarded as “Mrs. Nicholson,” but her humbleness touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.

Valentine graduated high school from Claiborne County Training School at the age of seventeen. During the time of her enrollment at Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi, she was the youngest female student admitted there. She did not allow herself to forget her purpose and the many sacrifices that were made for her to be there. Therefore, she accomplished her goal by graduating on schedule with her Bachelor of Arts degree. She later matriculated at Ohio State University, earning her Master of Arts degree.

Valentine moved to Quitman, Mississippi, to begin her teaching career as an English teacher at Shirley Owens High School, an all-Black high school, during the late 1950s through the early 1960s. She had an impactful love of poetry and spent much time teaching her students to recite “The Creation” by James Weldon Johnson as well as other literary works. She relocated to Madison, Florida, in 1964, having been recruited by James B. Brown, her former principal at Shirley Owens High School, to join him in teaching at Suwannee River Junior College (SRJC), the all-Black school located on the campus of Madison County Training School (MCTS). This college provided many students from the surrounding area with the opportunity to not only acclimate to the college curriculum to earn their Associate of Arts degree, but to also do so more affordably and with its one-on-one professional assistance from caring instructors. After SRJC was phased out in 1966, Valentine was selected to transition “over the tracks”/ across town to North Florida Junior College to continue her professional career as a professor of English; she was tenured there until her retirement. As a teacher/ professor of English, she was truly legendary in commanding excellence from her students.

A pillar of faith, Valentine was a devoted member of Damascus Missionary Baptist Church since 1965. She willingly accepted responsibilities and rendered her service until her health began to fail.

Mrs. Nicholson was married to Earlie Nicholson, who was also an educator in the Madison County Public School District. They were blessed with one son, Jerome B. Nicholson.

A highly respected member of the community, Mrs. Nicholson was the president of the Recreation Education Culture Service (RECS) Club for many years, president of the ACTT Child Care Center (501 C3 Corporation) where tiny scholars excelled, and a charter member of Nu Omega Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

God looked upon Valentine Ashmore Nicholson and saw that she had become tired. Then, in the twinkling of an eye and (as stated in “The Creation”) God said, “That’s good,” … my good and faithful servant. You have earned your rest! He then summoned her to her eternal home in Paradise on Friday, January 16, 2026.

Those who touch our lives stay in or hearts forever. Loved ones of Mrs. Valentine Ashmore Nicholson who will continue to cherish her love, legacy, and precious memories are her son, Jerome B. Nicholson of Jacksonville, FL; sister, Willie B. Ashmore of Chicago, IL; a special cousin /guardian: Veronica West Watson; special first cousins: Mattie T. West of Port Gibson, MS, and Lina Thomas of Dayton, OH; cousins: Vernan Edwards of Pascagoula, MS, Don Edwards of Jackson, MS, and Danny Edwards of Atlanta, GA; endearing friend and longtime neighbor: Alma McKinney; very special and loving caregivers from Angels With a Divine Purpose, LLC - Margaret and Michael Gibson, owners of Madison, FL; along with a host of other sorrowing cousins, nieces, other caring relatives, loving friends, and comforting Sorors of Nu Omega Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Loved ones who preceded Valentine Ashmore Nicholson in death were her husband, Earlie Nicholson; parents, Essie Edwards King and George Willie Ashmore; siblings: Bertha Ashmore, Lutio Ashmore, Laura Ashmore Williams, Pearl Ashmore, and George Ashmore, Jr.