W. Pauline Nicholson

W. Pauline Nicholson, one of the cooks that prepared Elvis Presley’s favorite meals, died on July 7 of cancer. She was 76.
Nicholson met the King of Rock ‘n Roll in the mid-1960s after his neighbor praised her cooking skills. The legendary singer hired Nicholson to work at Graceland and soon became an ardent admirer of her peanut butter and fried banana sandwiches, meatloaf and banana pudding. When he learned her husband, Ossie Nicholson Sr., had lost his job in 1974, Presley hired him as a guard.
Nicholson also worked as the Presley’s housekeeper and occasionally babysat for their daughter, Lisa Marie. She remained on staff at Graceland until her retirement in 1990. In later years, Nicholson cooked for Lisa Marie and her mother, Priscilla, whenever they requested her services. In fact, she prepared a home-cooked meal for them last Christmas. In 1981, Nicholson was featured in the documentary, “This is Elvis.”
“Elvis was like a son to her, to hear her talk about it,” said her daughter, Roslyn Guest.
Nicholson is survived by her husband of 55 years, nine children, 24 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.