“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness. Well done thy good and faithful servant.”
On Thursday, September 20, 2018, Marion Edward Nicely, of 4510 Nicelytown Road, Clifton Forge, Virginia, left his earthly home of over 90 years to go onward to his Heavenly home while surrounded by his children praying and reading scriptures. Marion was born December 10, 1927 in Alleghany County to the late Shadrack Nicely and Susie Viola Conner Nicely. He served in the United States Army as Military Police and was a retired farmer and school bus driver for the Alleghany Highlands Public Schools. He was a charter member of Immanuel Baptist Church where he taught the Adult Sunday School Class for over fifty years. Marion was the caretaker for Walnut Creek Farm for over 65 years. He loved football, NASCAR racing, farming and studying Bible scriptures. Of all the names Marion was known by, his favorite was “Pawpaw”. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Hilda Gray Brown Nicely; a son, Marion E. Nicely, Jr; five brothers, Nolan Ray Nicely, Richard Nicely, Carl Nicely, S.L. Nicely, and Arnold Nicely; and two sisters, Ethel Collins and Evelyn Smith. He is survived by four daughters, Tammy Brinkley and husband Kent of Clifton Forge, Julie Taylor and husband Jay of Clifton Forge, Lucy Maddy and husband Timmy of Rhoadesville, and Vicki Spangler and husband Tooty of Ruther Glenn; two sons, Charlie Nicely and wife Teresa of Clifton Forge, and Nathan Nicely and wife Kelly of Fincastle; three sisters, Hazel Burns and husband Rev. John Burns of Buckhannan, WV, Margaret Griffith of Berryville, and JoAnn Land of Roanoke; a brother, Dennis Nicely, Sr. and wife Peggy of Clifton Forge; a sister-in-law, JoAnn Easter of Fishersville; twelve grandchildren, Bobby Nicely, Brandon Nicely, Travis Maddy, Theron Maddy, Christopher Spangler, Luke Brinkley, Sierra Cosby, Allie Smith, Elle Pendleton, Noah Nicely, Nicholas Nicely, and George Taylor; sixteen great grandchildren; and a number of nieces, nephews, and special cousins. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at 12:00 Noon in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge with Pastor Bill Dillon, Preacher Lloyd Camp, his grandson Brandon Nicely, and his brother Reverend Dennis Nicely officiating. Interment will follow in Central Advent Christian Cemetery, Clifton Forge. Pallbearers will be Raymond Thompson, Jr., Kirk Alderman, Roger Brown, Brad Day, Kevin Day, David Thurston, and Hunter Deisher. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Scott Brown, Alan Puckett, and Marion’s grandsons. The family will receive friends Saturday morning from 10:00 AM until the time of service at Nicely Funeral Home. The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Anthony Baptist Church Build Fund, 253 Shanklin Drive, White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986 or Mountain Regional Hospice Volunteers, P.O. Box 637, Clifton Forge, VA 24422.