Kenneth Wayne Nichols

Kenneth Wayne Nichols, age 82, of Columbus, MS, passed away March 10, 2020 at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle, after a short illness.

Funeral services will be Saturday, March 14, 2020 at 2:00 PM at Nebo United Methodist Church, Alabama Highway 18, Sulligent, Alabama with the Reverend Sarah Windham, officiating.  The interment will immediately follow at Nebo Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 12:00 PM until the time of the service at the church.

Mr. Nichols was born April 20, 1937 in Sulligent, Alabama to the late Clarence Ruben and Amanda McGee Nichols.  He attended Malloy Elementary School and graduated from Lamar County High School in Vernon, Alabama, Class of 1956.  He served in the United State Air Force when he met the love of his life, Mary Jean Holt.  They were married on March 12, 1959 and were about to celebrate their sixty-first anniversary. They were blessed with three children, a son and two daughters.

Mr. Nichols, well respected for his mechanical skills, was employed at Hardin Chevrolet for many years and later owned Nichols Auto Repair Service.  He was known for his honesty and dependability in his business relations.

The Nichols moved to the Tabernacle Community in Alabama in 1994.  After his retirement in 1997, Kenneth devoted much of his time and energy to helping neighbors, working in Tabernacle United Methodist Church activities, volunteering with the South Lamar Rescue Squad and helping to establish and serve in the Forest/Tabernacle Volunteer Fire Department.  He was a hard worker, was kind and generous, had a servant's heart, had a strong faith in God, deeply loved his family, and was strongly loyal to his country.  He liked to hunt and fish.  He treasured his many friends, gathered from the different stages of his life.

Mr. Nichols was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Byron Wayne "Porky" Nichols, and his sister Patsy (Chuck) Miller.  He leaves behind his wife, Mary Jean Nichols, his daughters, Mary Margaret Price and Susan Elizabeth Wilder of Columbus; five grandchildren, Christopher Wayne (Jessica) Nichols of Collierville, TN, Amanda (Jeff) Smith of D'Iberville, MS, Amy (Ben) Shelton of Columbus, MS, Samantha (Stephen) Vindich of Mobile, AL and Gibson Ramos of Columbus, MS.; nine great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by three sisters, Dorothy Sue Brock of Auburn, AL, Elizabeth Ann Brock and Brenda Kay Finch of Sulligent, AL.  Kenneth also shared a deep and loving relationship with his extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, his family by marriage and a host of friends.

Pallbearers are Bubba Comer, Vee Ferguson, Kenneth Yearby, David Shepherd, Tommie Johnson, Jr., and Tim and Jonathan Edwards.  Honorary Pallbearers are members of the LCHS Class of 1956, South Lamar Rescue Squad, and Forest/Tabernacle Volunteer Rescue Squad.

The family expresses their deepest appreciation to Dr. Matthew Wade, Ms. Brenda Porter, CNA and the Third Floor Nursing Staff of BMHGT.

Condolences and special memories may be shared with the family at: www.ottsfuneralhome.net

Otts Funeral Home

Sulligent, AL, Directing