Nieves Gomez

Nieves Gomez, 77, passed from this life Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital. She was born on August 5, 1939 in Bolivia, South America to the late Antonio Gomez San Martìn and Prima Gomez. Nieves originally came to the United States in 1965 and she spent about thirty-eight years living in Memphis where she was a former member of Bellevue Baptist Church. Nieves has resided in Jonesboro for past the fourteen years where she has been a member of Central Baptist Church.

Nieves taught herself how to sew as a young girl so that she could clothe her younger siblings and herself. It became her greatest joy and she was able to sew all of her life. Nieves was a seamstress for Goldsmith’s in Memphis for over thirty-seven years where she specialized in Bridal wear. She also had a healthy business sewing from her home. She quickly became the most sought-after seamstress in the Memphis area for her expertise in beadwork, her talent as a seamstress, and the inability to tell her customers "no". She performed alterations for formal and bridal shops regularly in three states and often had brides from across the country. Her last sewing project was two angel costumes for her great niece Victoria and her friend Bobbi to wear in their elementary school talent show, and she was there to enjoy their performance.

Nieves also enjoyed making jewelry and cooking, especially her homemade bread. More than anything Nieves loved to spend time and spoil her niece and nephew, and especially her great nieces and nephew. Though she never had children of her own, her love of children marked her life. She never told them “no” either.

She is preceded in death by her parents.

Nieves is survived by one brother: Julio Gomez Diaz of La Paz, Bolivia; one sister Lila (Earnest) Hicks of Jonesboro; one Niece: Leslie (Nick) Williams of Jonesboro; two great-nieces: Isabella Williams and Victoria Williams; and one great-nephew: Jake Henry Williams.

Visitation will be from 1- 2 p.m. Monday, February 6, 2017 at Emerson Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Monday, February 6, 2017 at Emerson Funeral Home following the visitation with Don Blackmore officiating with Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Burial will follow at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery and active pallbearers will include: Dale Williams, Nick Williams, Jake Henry Williams, Jerry Hicks, DeWayne Hicks, and Roy Hicks.
Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Agape Sunday School Class at Central Baptist Church.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the ICU nurses and physicians of NEA Baptist Hospital for their loving care and support through Nieves' illness.

For lasting memorials family asks that donations please be made to www.worldvision.org. Please consider donating or sponsoring a child in South America in loving memory of the missionaries that cared for Nieves and her siblings many years ago.