Robert Boston Nicley (98), of Washburn, TN, passed away peacefully on Feb. 10 in Sparta, TN, at the home of his daughter Karen Roper. He was surrounded by family and friends. Robert was born in Washburn on Aug. 5, 1927, and, with the exception of short stints as a soldier in the U.S. Army and as a student athlete at Lincoln Memorial University, he spent his entire life there. Robert and his descendants are recognized among the state’s first families. First Families of Tennessee were pioneer families who settled Tennessee before statehood in 1796.
He is survived by the family of his first wife, the late Wilma Jean Satterfield Nicley: daughters Karen Roper and Kim (Scott) Elliott; grandchildren Justin (Lauren) Roper, Lauren (Brandon) Grizzard, and Charleston (Michael) Causey; and great grandchildren Jonah, Cora, and Vera Roper, and Amelia and Caroline Grizzard; nephews Steve (Lucy) Nicley and Barry Nicley. He is also survived by the family of his late second wife, Bertie Cash Trent Nicley: (Ed, deceased) Helen Trent, Brenda (Garrett, deceased) Bell, Erma (James, deceased) Sexton, Kathy (Eddy) Ballard, and Rick (Sandy) Trent, along with numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Robert was predeceased by his father Curt Nicley, his mother Ida Beeler Nicley, brother Ed Nicley, and son-in-law John Roper.
Robert was born on Dutch Valley Farm, a certified Tennessee Century Farm, which was founded by ancestors who moved to Grainger County in the 18th century from Asheville and other parts of North Carolina. Being such a long-time resident, Robert was the de facto historian of the area and frequently regaled listeners with stories of family histories, events, and local personalities, including a few infamous moonshiners who tried to outrun the law on the narrow valley and mountain roads.
One event in particular remained close to Robert’s heart: while in the Army stationed in Alaska, he had the “good” fortune to be assigned KP duty (aka, Kitchen Police) on his 19th birthday. When a special guest arrived during his shift, Robert found himself serving breakfast to, and chatting with, Army Chief of Staff and future President of the United States, Five-Star General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Following his Army service (1946-48), Robert returned home briefly before heading to Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate where he studied and played collegiate basketball. Though not exceptionally tall, Robert would playfully claim that his “sharp elbows” gave him an edge against larger opponents. His time as a student was cut short, though, as his love for Wilma Jean Satterfield drew him back to Grainger County.
The two were married on Feb. 3, 1951, and their first child, Karen, arrived in 1954. Their second daughter, Kim, joined the family in 1963.
Under his leadership, Dutch Valley Farm featured a diversified portfolio, ranging from tobacco, corn, hay, and other crops, to beef cattle, dairy replacement heifers, and a 10,000-hen commercial egg production business, Dutch Valley Eggs.
Robert served on the Grainger County Soil Conservation Board of Directors for 37 years, as well as on the Grainger County Co-op Board of Directors for many years. Robert proudly served on the Grainger County Farm Bureau Board of Directors for 32 years, and in 2022 was designated an Honorary Lifetime Director of that organization.
In addition to farming, Robert represented the Tennessee Farmers Co-op for 16 years as a feed salesman, troubleshooter, and manager in East and Middle Tennessee. For two years he served as manager of the Hawkins County Co-op. He was also a long-time member of the Grainger County Commission.
Robert helped lay the cornerstone of Beelers Chapel Methodist Church at its current location. He was a lifetime member of the church and served for decades as treasurer, Sunday School teacher, and song leader, and is remembered for his homemade country ham biscuits that he served up at every Memorial Day “dinner on the ground.” He was also a founding member of the Liberty Hill Cemetery Association, on which he served for more than 70 years. As a youth, Robert worked with a mule team and hand tools to maintain the cemetery.
Since 1965, Robert held the Sublime Degree of Master Masons through J.C. Baker Lodge 720, working under the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Tennessee.
Robert lived through nearly a century of unprecedented technological change. As a youth, he recalled neighbors coming by the farm to listen to news and the Grand Old Opry on the Nicley’s family radio. Later his generation graduated from watching newsreels at movie theaters to television, first black and white and then color. Personal communication advanced from handwritten and delivered letters and party line telephones to personal computers, email, and smart phones – on which he frequently used Facetime video calls to keep in touch with family.
On the farm, Robert was able to adapt to new equipment and techniques, moving from horse-drawn plows to engines, from muscle to machinery. His life spanned one of agriculture’s most profound transformations, rooted always in hard work and respect for the soil.
Known to many as “Brother Rob,” he was a faithful Christian, a good friend and neighbor, and was deeply loved and respected by all who knew him.
Receiving of relatives, friends, and acquaintances will be held at Smith-Reagan Funeral Home in Rutledge Friday, Feb. 20, from 5-8 p.m. EST. A second visitation will be held at Beelers’ Chapel in Washburn Saturday, Feb. 21, from 10-11:30 a.m. EST.
The funeral is set for 11:30 a.m. EST at the church with Rev. Denver Davidson and Rev. Wayne Trent presiding. Interment to follow immediately after at the Liberty Hill Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers are Tom Clay, Michael Coffman, Mack Fennell, Mark Hipshire, Martin Nicely, and Aaron Trent. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either the Liberty Hill Cemetery Association (send to Citizens Bank & Trust of Grainger Co., 125 Washburn Rd., P.O. Box 40, Washburn, TN 37888, or to Beeler’s Chapel Church, (care of Tom Clay, 690 Elm Springs Ridge, Rd., Washburn, TN 37888).
The family wishes to thank Caris Healthcare Hospice personnel, especially Noah Hawk, R.N. and the many friends and relatives who demonstrated their love and support during Robert’s end-of-life journey.
