Mary Josephine "Jo" Nicks

Mary Josephine "Jo" Nicks, 85, of Newbern, Tennessee died on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at her residence in Newbern, Tennessee.

Born Wednesday, September 25, 1940, in Obion County, Tennessee, she was the daughter of the late John Thomas Hickerson and the late Thelma May Beasley Hickerson.
 

Mrs. Nicks devoted many years of her life to working and serving her community. She was employed with Salant & Salant for ten years, followed by thirteen years with All Wear Manufacturing. She later worked with the Newbern Police Department before finding great joy in her role as a Supervisor with the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps at Dyer County High School. That position was especially meaningful to her, as it was evident that she loved children and wanted to be a positive influence and guiding presence in their lives.

A talented cook, Jo was well known for her delicious dressing and her famous pies. Family and friends often joked that she never made a bad pie—each one was a favorite, whether pecan, caramel, or chocolate. 

She was also an excellent seamstress and lovingly made many of her granddaughter’s pageant dresses, a special memory that her family will forever cherish.

Jo was a dedicated member of the Main Street Church of Christ for many years, where her faith and quiet devotion were evident to all who knew her. She loved her family deeply and was always there for them, offering support, encouragement, and unconditional love.

Funeral services for Mrs. Nicks will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, February 1, 2026, in the Chapel of Johnson-Williams Funeral Home. Officiating this service will be Mr. Mark Pape. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Newbern, Tennessee. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM at Johnson-Williams Funeral Home.

She is survived by two sons, Tommy Wright (Carla) of Newbern, Tennessee and Harold Wright (Cindy) of Newbern, Tennessee; one daughter, Vicki Nicks of Dyersburg, Tennessee, she was "Granny Jo and "Josephine" to her grandchildren, Curtis Wright (Laken), Mary Ellen Wright, Jackie Clutts, Stacy Wright (Justin), Lindsay Davis (Mark), Brittany Frank (Robert)and James Robert; great-grandchildren, Seaton Clutts, Syndey Wright, Sawyer Wright, Sadie Wright, Mattie Wright, Cash Wright, Henley Williams, Carter Frank, Oliver Frank, Chloye Stephens, Calab Davis and Cain Stephens and two special nieces, Amanda Nicks and Lydia Nicks.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Henley Nicks; one son, David Nicks and grandson, Jonathan Nicks.

Honoring Mrs. Nicks as pallbearers will be Seaton Clutts, Curtis Wright, Richard Dunivant, Robert Frank, Billy Lumley and Shane Connelly.

Online condolences may be made to the family at johnsonwilliamsfuneralhome.com. Johnson-Williams Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mary Josephine "Jo" Nicks.

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