Shirley L. Nicholson, farming pioneer

Shirley L. Nicholson, 85, of Bishopville, Md., died at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, Md., Sunday, March 24, 2013. She had been a resident of Delmar Assisted Living since Jan. 14.

Shirley was born Feb. 16, 1928, in Selbyville, to the late Lester James and Pearl Cullen Wells. In addition to her parents, she is preceded by her husband Norman E. Nicholson Oct. 26, 2002; two sisters, Madeline Warrington and Neva Pugh; and a brother, Lester Wells.

She was a homemaker and one of the first women farmers. She was a foster mother to more than 20 children.

She is survived by her son, Harry R. Smith and his wife Janet; a daughter, Sandra Birch all of Bishopville; four grandchildren, Tina Jarvis, Roger Birch, Mary Webb and Michelle Mears; seven great-grandchildren; two brothers, Richard Wells and Robert Wells; and two sisters, Donna Walker and Linda Milliner.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, March 28, at Watson Funeral

Home, 211 S. Washington St. Millsboro, where friends may call after 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Bishopville Cemetery. Pastor Bob Hudson will officiate. Flowers are welcome.

Arrangements by: Burbage Funeral Home, Berlin, Md. and Watson Funeral Home, Millsboro.