Nicholson died despite doing everything the experts say womenneed to do to stay safe.
Employees at the Sharpsburg Red and White grocery store say Nicholsonalways greeted customers with a smile and a kind word. Then, about a weekago, one of her best friends noticed a change. Francine Bullock said thedifference was noticeable.
Police say Nicholson was trying to leave her estranged husband whenhe allegedly murdered her and Police Chief Wayne Hathaway who had cometo protect her.
Domestic abuse counselor Kimberly Clifford says usually, staying in aviolent home can be more dangerous than leaving.
Crisis centers like the Wesley Shelter in Wilson want battered women toknow there is hope, in spite of this case where the victim seemed to doeverything right but died anyway. Clifford says staying withan abusive spouse often guarantees trouble, especially if the victim haskept her pain to herself.
Bullock believes Nicholson really didn't know the man she married eight months ago. Nor did she know he had assaulted another womanyears earlier. If she had, she believes Nicholson would have left longago.
Money is being collected to help Gloria Nicholson's two smallchildren who are is 8- and 2-years-old. If you're interested; send yourgift to theGloria Nicholson Memorial Fund,in care of Triangle Bank, PO Box 123 in Sharpsburg, NC, 27878.
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