Obituaries

Willie Louise Nicholson, affectionately known as “Louise or Lu” was born on September 2, 1942, to Annie Mae Cox and Robert O’Dell Edwards in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. She was preceded in death by both of her parents, her sister Bonnie Jean Baskin, brother Walter Earl Cox and nephew Gary Baskin. At an early age she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior. Louise married Renard Leroy Hall in 1971 and they bore a child, Tiffany Jasmin Ludianje Hall, her only daughter.

Louise’s family relocated to Detroit Michigan in her early teenage years and she graduated from Northwestern High School. She later attended junior college at Morristown College a historically black institution in Tennessee. She loved Morristown College and flourished there. She was on the honor roll, a member of the Debating Society, Vice-President of the Phi Beta Mu Society, President of the Morristown Dance Group, the Assistant Editor of the Red Knight Annual newspaper, a cheerleading captain, a member of the Thespian Club, a member of the Letterman Club and the 1st runner up for the Miss Morristown College pageant. She graduated from Morristown College in 1964 with an Associate in Arts degree.

Louise transferred to Eastern Michigan University (EMU) where she completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1966. While at EMU she pledged her beloved sorority Delta Sigma Theta, Incorporated and was also a Kappa Alpha Psi (Kappa) Sweetheart. Louise was recruited into the teaching profession directly after graduating from EMU and began her 34-year teaching career. She later obtained a Master of Arts in Education degree from the University of Michigan in 1974.

Louise taught at several Detroit public elementary schools during her career and retired from McGregor Elementary School in 2000. Louise adored teaching. It was her passion and she loved her students as if they were her own children. She would often invite them and their parents to her home or visit them at their homes. During her career she received numerous awards and recognitions such as: Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers; Mentoring awards from the St. Clair County Association of School Boards; Certificates of appreciation from Oakland University; and the Booker T. Washington award for outstanding commitment to education. After retiring from the Detroit Public School system Louise worked at Wayne State University as a Supervisory Student Teacher Trainer and Cohort Leader. She was also the President of the Board of Directors for the Crescent Academy in Southfield Michigan.

Louise remained an active and financial member of Delta Sigma Theta, Incorporated Sorority for over 50 years, most recently with the Southfield Alumnae Chapter (SAC). Louise and her daughter/Soror participated in many sorority events together. Louise loved getting together with the Delta Dears, she modeled in the sorority fashion shows, sang in the SAC choir and even danced in the SAC talent show.

Louise loved her family, friends and Sorors. She went home to be with the Lord on St. Patrick’s Day March 17, 2026, surrounded by close friends and family. She leaves to cherish her memories: her daughter, Tiffany Hall; bonus daughter, LaTrina (Craig) Burns; nephew, James “Chucky” Baskin; great nieces, Shardae Baskin, Shanae Baskin, Orchid Cox, Brandi Collins; and great nephews, Marcus Cox, and Walter Cox Jr.