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Sammie Nicely

by DFH Inc. on 05/26/15

Sammie Nicely, age 68, of Morristown, passed away Saturday, May 23, 2015 at Morristown Hamblen Healthcare Systems.

Born on April 11, 1947, to the late James and Mattie Nicely, Samuel Louis Nicely was the youngest child of seven. “Sammie” grew up in rural Russellville, TN, where he developed a love for the arts, particularly African American crafts. He was the Renaissance man of the arts who practiced multi-media artistry. After high school, he attended Morristown College and Middle Tennessee State University, where he received his B.S. degree in Art Education. His graduate studies were in sculpture at The Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, TN.

In 1986, Sammie co-founded the “From Africa to Appalachia Foundation”, an organization committed to exposing African/African-American, visual, and performing arts to the people in Appalachia. Also in the 1980’s, he owned and operated the N.A.C. (Nicely Art Center) in Russellville, TN. This center served as an art gallery and studio, and hosted art classes and camps for the youth. Sammie’s work is part of many collections, including but not limited to, the TVA, Bellsouth, The National Afro-American Museum, ETSU, MTSU and Georgia State University. Sammie Nicely was commissioned by the city of Atlanta to display his work in the international concourse of the now Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport for the 1996 Summer Olympics. He now has permanent installations at this airport and Nashville International Airport. He has been featured in multiple one-man and group shows since the late 1980s. Sammie studied and taught from the smallest elementary school level to the college/university level and beyond throughout the United States, in Jamaican cities and African Countries. He was an international advisor and master teacher who possessed a widespread variety of experience that reached a vast array of cultures.

Sammie Nicely’s work was an extension of himself that defined his cultural heritage. He was a well-travelled man who never encountered a stranger. He embraced life with the colorful exuberance exhibited in his everyday attitude. Whether he was a brother, uncle, cousin, mentor, teacher, acquaintance, or friend, his legacy will forever be an exhibition in our hearts.

He is preceded in death by his beloved parents, Mattie and James Nicely, Sr.; and sisters: Georgia Langston and Edna Nicely. He leaves to cherish his memory his brothers: James Nicely, Jr. and Robert (Debbie) Nicely; sisters: Cora Nicely, Roberta (Joe) Patton; brother-in-law: Hollis L. Langston, Jr.; nieces: Dortheia Belk, Kathy Patton, Denise Patton, Lisa Patton, Melanie Langston, Tangela (Theodore) Malone; nephews: Calvin Nicely, Dion Patton, Danny (Cindy) Patton, Victor Nicely, Kerry (Joyce) Nicely, Lynnwood (Karen) Nicely, John Nicely, Hollis L. (Keisha) Langston, III; and a host of grand-nieces/ nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

Funeral Services will be Friday, May 29, 2015 at 7 p.m. at Dockery Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. There will be a Family Hour on Saturday, May 30, 2015 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at Bewley's Chapel Baptist Church in Russellville, with the interment to follow at 1:30 p.m. at Russellville Cemetery.

Arrangements by Dockery Funeral Home, Inc. of Morristown.

Comments (8)

1. Linda (Rucker) Rogers said on 5/29/15 - 05:16AM

My prayers are with the Yeary family. May God be with you during this difficult time.

2. Linda (Rucker) Rogers said on 5/29/15 - 05:21AM

Sammie was a great artist and a dear friend. I pray that God will be with each of you during this difficult time. I know that his works will live on and show his dedication to family, community and all of those he loved. God bless you!

3. Diana Woods Kinard said on 5/29/15 - 07:39PM

Sammie was like a member of our family. He shared dinner with our family at our mother's home this Mother's Day. I thank God for placing him in our lives. He will be missed and left a mentoring legacy. God bless the family.

4. Margaret Carr (from ETSU) said on 5/30/15 - 09:01AM

I am so sorry to hear of Sammie's passing. I admired him and his work very much and he will be missed.

5. Joe Giles said on 6/1/15 - 03:52AM

I was shocked and saddened to hear of Sammie's passing. He was a fine artist and a wonderful human being. J. Giles, Nashville

6. Pat Lane said on 6/1/15 - 11:07AM

I remember Sammie's father from growing up in Russellville when he sometimes helped my father on our farm. I later met Sammie when my mother asked that he make a set of ceramic mugs for my Christmas present. I treasure them to this day. His art, of course, went far beyond that and his art and spirit will live on for the world.

7. Pat Lane said on 6/1/15 - 11:10AM

My condolences to all Sammie's family and friends.

8. Jerry Wright said on 6/2/15 - 10:35PM

Sammie's death was a loss to the Russellville community and to those who appreciated his art and who were drawn to his always open and welcoming spirit from across the world. He was as close as my brother and a loyal friend. We can best keep his memory glowing by keeping his annual Africa to Appalachia Festival alive and well.

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1.	Linda (Rucker) Rogers said on 5/29/15 - 05:16AM
	My prayers are with the Yeary family. May God be with you during this difficult time.
2.	Linda (Rucker) Rogers said on 5/29/15 - 05:21AM
	Sammie was a great artist and a dear friend. I pray that God will be with each of you during this difficult time. I know that his works will live on and show his dedication to family, community and all of those he loved. God bless you!
3.	Diana Woods Kinard said on 5/29/15 - 07:39PM
	Sammie was like a member of our family. He shared dinner with our family at our mother's home this Mother's Day. I thank God for placing him in our lives. He will be missed and left a mentoring legacy. God bless the family.
4.	Margaret Carr (from ETSU) said on 5/30/15 - 09:01AM
	I am so sorry to hear of Sammie's passing. I admired him and his work very much and he will be missed.
5.	Joe Giles said on 6/1/15 - 03:52AM
	I was shocked and saddened to hear of Sammie's passing. He was a fine artist and a wonderful human being. J. Giles, Nashville
6.	Pat Lane said on 6/1/15 - 11:07AM
	I remember Sammie's father from growing up in Russellville when he sometimes helped my father on our farm. I later met Sammie when my mother asked that he make a set of ceramic mugs for my Christmas present. I treasure them to this day. His art, of course, went far beyond that and his art and spirit will live on for the world.
7.	Pat Lane said on 6/1/15 - 11:10AM
	My condolences to all Sammie's family and friends.
8.	Jerry Wright said on 6/2/15 - 10:35PM
	Sammie's death was a loss to the Russellville community and to those who appreciated his art and who were drawn to his always open and welcoming spirit from across the world. He was as close as my brother and a loyal friend. We can best keep his memory glowing by keeping his annual Africa to Appalachia Festival alive and well.