Born on December 25, 1933, in Parlatuvier, Tobago, Verda Christabelle Nicholson was a cherished Christmas gift to her parents, Kathleen Elder and Matthias Nicholson. Verda embarked on a remarkable journey that spanned continents, careers, and countless lives touched.

Verda began her teaching career at the Charlotteville Methodist School before migrating to Trinidad to attend teacher's college. She taught at several schools in Trinidad and Tobago. While in Trinidad, she married Arley Edwards and had her first child, Heshla. Pursuing further education, Verda moved to New York City, where she earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in education with a concentration in Special Education. Her teaching career flourished as she taught from elementary through high school in the school systems of New York, New Jersey, and Florida.

Verda later remarried Reynold Hastick and gave birth to her son, Leonard. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to open interior decorating businesses in Florida and Trinidad. Despite health issues forcing her to retire from teaching, she returned to Brooklyn, New York, to be with her family. In an unexpected turn of events, she married Sidney Charles and returned to Tobago. Following Sidney's passing, Verda moved to Fort Myers, Florida, to be near her daughter, spending her final years living with her grandson, Montgomery, and his fiancée, Mattie.

Raised as an Anglican, Verda's faith journey took a profound turn in her early twenties when she was marvelously saved at San Juan Pentecostal Church in Trinidad. Throughout her Christian walk, she served as a choir member, Sunday school teacher and superintendent, Director of Children's Church and Vacation Bible School, and in numerous other roles. Verda was passionate about her faith, encouraging everyone in her circle to seek God and learn of Jesus as Lord and Savior. Her generosity knew no bounds, always giving of herself, her possessions, and opening her home to countless young men and women she encountered.

Verda is survived by her children, Heshla Ash-Tessier and Leonard Hastick; son-in-law David Tessier and daughter-in-law Renee Hastick; siblings Wharton Nicholson, Winfield Nicholson, Ella Rudder, Ulrica Brooms, Alvin Nicholson, Maria Nicholson, and Sandra Calliste; in-laws Claire Nicholson, Shirley Nicholson, Patricia Nicholson, Anthony Rudder, Ivan Brooms, Lena Nicholson, Jennifer Nicholson, and Denley Calliste; grandchildren Matthew Ash, Montgomery Ash, Dez'Aray Watkins, Dan'Yell Hastick, and Lenny Hastick; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces, and great-grandnephews.

Verda's legacy of love, faith, and generosity will forever be cherished by all who knew her. She leaves behind a remarkable legacy of dedication to education, faith, and family. Her vibrant spirit and unwavering faith in God will be remembered by all who were fortunate enough to be touched by her life.