Obituary of Alma Nickelson

Alma Joyce Rice Nickelson, 71, died unexpectedly Saturday, January 28, in Sterling, Virginia, from natural causes. Joyce was born in Fairmont, West Virginia, and was a 1958 graduate of Washington Irving High School in Clarksburg, West Virginia. One of only eight women to graduate from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1962, she was the top female graduate in her class. She obtained her BS degree with honors in applied mathematics, and was a member of Tau Beta Pi and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies. She also received a MS degree in mathematics from Northeastern University and a MS degree in management science from American University. Joyce began her impressive 50 -year career as a systems engineer with Chance Vought Aeronautics in Dallas, Texas. She later began working for The MITRE Corporation in Bedford, Massachusetts, and she also opened and managed the Falls Church, Virginia, branch of SofTech, Inc. and was president and co-owner of Effective Software Solutions in Vienna, Virginia. Joyce returned to work for MITRE in McLean, Virginia in 1986. In 1993-1994, she was awarded a Congressional fellowship sponsored by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics where she worked on the Energy Subcommittee of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee. Joyce retired after more than 30 years with The MITRE Corporation but continued to work part time for MITRE and as a college mathematics instructor until her death. Joyce led an independent life, and enjoyed reading, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. She traveled extensively around the United States and to Western Europe, the Middle East, Central and South America, and Asia for work and for pleasure. She was active throughout her life, enjoying snow skiing, ballroom dancing, and even completing a half-marathon at age 62. She passionately enjoyed life, though she was often quiet and philosophical. She was well-loved and will be missed by her family and friends. Joyce is survived by her daughter, Joyce E. (Jennie) Nickelson (F. Reginald Albritton, III) of Tuscaloosa, Alabama (daughter of Richard L. Nickelson of Athens, Georgia); three grandchildren, Stephanie Risoldi Milnes (Jonathan) of Tallahassee, Florida; Jessica Risoldi Duncan (Timothy) of Thomasville, Georgia; and Christopher Dale Risoldi, Jr. (Chasity "Nicki") of Crawfordville, Florida; six great-grandchildren; brother Wayne Edgar Rice of New Albany, Ohio; brother-in-law James Kubala of Columbus, Ohio; sister Shari Rice Sander (Robert) of Blacklick, Ohio; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other close family members and dear friends including John C. Sutherland of Pine Mountain, GA . Joyce was preceded in death by her parents Edgar W. and Goldie M. Rice and sister Deborah Rice Kubala. A service to celebrate the life of A. Joyce Nickelson will be held at 11 am on Saturday, March 3, at the Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel in Pine Mountain, Georgia, Majors R. Ernest and Juanita Clevett officiating . A reception for family and friends will follow. Joyce would have liked to have been remembered by donations to the Salvation Army ( http://donate.salvationarmyusa.org/ ) or Heifer International ( http://www.heifer.org/give ). Please view and sign register book at adamsgreen.com.