10/23/2026
The East Tennessee Historical Society is saddened to learn of the passing of Virgil E. “Skip” Nipper Jr. A dedicated baseball historian, Skip generously contributed his knowledge and expertise to our exhibition Home Runs & Home Teams: A History of the National Pastime in Tennessee. His passion for preserving and sharing Tennessee’s baseball history helped bring the story of our national pastime to life for generations of visitors.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Sheila, his family, friends, and all who shared his love of the game. We are grateful for his contributions to preserving Tennessee’s rich history and will remember him with appreciation. Rest in peace, Skip. ⚾
Virgil E. “Skip” Nipper, Jr., 76, passed away at his home in Mt. Juliet, TN, after a lengthy illness, on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Skip was born on September 28, 1950, in Nashville, Tennessee, one of two boys of the late Virgil E. Nipper, Sr. and Dorothy Worth Waddell Nipper. He lived most of his life in the Nashville area and spent the last years of his life in Mt. Juliet, TN, with his wife, Sheila Sudduth Nipper.
Skip graduated in 1968 from Stratford High School in Nashville and also Memphis State University in 1972. He worked for many years for Jack Waddell & Sons (his grandfather) in 1973 and later for Virgil Nipper Company around 1976 as a manufacturer's representative with his dad in the sporting goods industry for over 41 years before retiring in 2014.
Skip is preceded in death by his parents, Virgil Sr. and Dorothy Waddell Nipper.
Skip is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Sheila Sudduth Nipper; four children: Doug (Missy) Nipper, Becky Woodall Nipper, Cathy (Neil) Dolder, and Chris (Dana) Nipper; stepdaughters: Hillary (Tim) Ragan, Laurie Leichhardt, and Brooke Leichhardt; 18 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, and many nieces and nephews. Skip is also survived by his brother, Jim W. (Mary Alice) Nipper, as well as his aunts, Yvonne Helton Fesmire, Ansel Bell, and Connie Mabry, along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Skip was an avid baseball fan. He was known throughout the Middle Tennessee area for his knowledge of baseball in Nashville and loved the history of the old Negro Baseball Leagues in the South and elsewhere. He had high hopes of Nashville having a Major League Baseball Club in the future. There is a collection of around 200 of his podcasts entitled "Baseball in Nashville" up until about a year before his passing away. He was nicknamed "Mr. Sulphur DelI" by friends who read his articles and listened to his podcasts about one of the oldest stadiums in America (a new stadium sits on the same grounds where the Nashville Sounds Minor League Club now plays). Skip was also a past President with the Nashville Old Timers Baseball Association and held other positions among the leaders of this association. He also served as an Arbitrator (Umpire) for Vintage Baseball Leagues in the area for a few years and truly loved it.
Skip was a good athlete in high school, playing on the very first baseball team that Stratford High School ever had and he also played football all three years there. He is remembered by friends who recall him once hitting four home runs in a row while playing Little League down on the now-defunct baseball diamonds at Davidson Street in Nashville.
Skip was a dedicated and faithful Christian man; he loved his Lord Jesus Christ. He was baptized and later confirmed his faith in the Lutheran Church; he also was very active with the United Methodist Church and, at his death, was a dedicated member with Sheila at Providence Church in Mt. Juliet, TN. He served in many capacities with those churches and was a great Sunday School teacher for adults for many years while attending Hermitage Methodist Church.
Our sincere thanks to the Vanderbilt University Hospital - Oncology Department, and Dr. Jennifer Choe for the wonderful care they gave Skip while undergoing treatment there. The staff was so caring and kind. Thanks, too, to the staff at Alive Hospice for their care for Skip and Sheila. What a blessing they were for them both.
Thanks also to the Providence Church Family & Staff for all their love and support during Skip's illness, especially Rev. Betsy Hall. Thanks, too, to Megan Jackson, Sheila’s niece, who was always available to visit Skip and help with medical concerns. And finally, thanks to the neighbors, for being so supportive with food, visits, and conversations.
A Memorial Service to Celebrate and Honor Skip’s Life will be held on Monday, October 26, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Providence Church, 2293 S. Rutland Rd. Mt. Juliet, TN officiated by Pastor Mark Youngman and Pastor Jacob Armstrong. Visitation will take place from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., with the service to follow.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Providence Church, 2293 S. Rutland Rd. Mt. Juliet, TN 37122 or to the Nashville Old Timers Baseball Association at 7009 Lenox Village Dr. Suite E104 Nashville TN 37211
Arrangements by Bond Memorial Chapel, 1098 Weston Drive, Mt. Juliet, TN. (615) 773-2663, www.bondmemorial.com
