Rev. John Nichols

Beloved father, grandfather, uncle and friend went home to be with his Heavenly Father on April 10, 2016 surrounded by his loving daughters and family. Rev. Nichols was born October 24, 1928 the son of the late Rev. Elias Milton Nichols and Roberta Hoye Nichols Windom in Decatur, Mississippi. After moving to Saginaw, Michigan he met and married Doris Marie Wilson to this union was Deborah Denise Nichols, Cornelia Faye Wilson and Diane Wilson, all of Saginaw, Michigan. Rev. Nichols was a very prominent minister who traveled the States singing with various quartets as a baritone and as a Preacher of the Word. He was an Associate Minister at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church for many years until congregating with his current membership at Freewill Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of his faithful pastor and friend Pastor James E. Speed. He was a retired veteran of the United States Navy honored with various awards and medals, Fraternal order of Masons, a lifetime member of NAACP and the Disabled Veterans of America. Rev. Nichols was a family man who enjoyed telling stories about his life, being with his grandchildren, traveling and enjoying himself. He was well known for his gardening “his famous tender greens on outer drive”, his famous blackberry pies and caramel cakes. Rev. Nichols leaves to cherish his memory; three daughters, Deborah (Vaughn) Denise Murray, Cornelia Faye Presley and Diane Gissendanner, all of Saginaw, MI; grandchildren, Quangi Glenn and Andre (Angie) Gissendanner of Saginaw, MI, Vaughn (Celeste) Murray, Jr. and Javon Murray, both of Hampton, VA, Jason Murray of Norfolk, VA and Shanika Murray of Lansing, MI; seventeen great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Elma Nichols Hardy of Montgomery, AL and Ruby “Etoye” Nichols Smith of East Chicago, IN; special nieces, Rachel and Birdie Times, both of Detroit, MI and Mary Burks of Texas. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at Greater Freewill Baptist Church, 615 Irving Park Place. Pastor James Speed will officiate with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 North Jefferson Avenue on Monday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m.

Rev. John Nichols

October 24, 1928 - April 10, 2016