Mrs. Thelma Nichols

September 26, 1927 - March 7, 2022

On Monday, March 7, 2022, Thelma Jane (Smith) Nichols, our dearly beloved mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend, transitioned peacefully from this life, with her family by her side at Hoyt Nursing and Rehab Centre, Saginaw, MI. Mrs. Nichols, age 94, was born to the union of the late Johnnie T. and Beatrice (Tingle) Smith in Kemper County, MS on September 26, 1927. She and her late husband, Jimmie Lee Nichols, Sr., were united in marriage on April 28, 1948. In 1952, they were one of the founding families of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Carrollton, MI where they served faithfully until they relocated to Decatur, MS in 1982. They continued to actively serve at Midway Baptist Church in Decatur, MS where Mrs. Nichols was the President of Home Missions. They later relocated back to Bridgeport, Michigan where they reunited with Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. Mrs. Nichols loved teaching, learning, and mentoring youth. She earned an AA Degree in Education from Jackson State College, (Jackson, MS), a BA Degree in Education from Central Michigan University, (Mt. Pleasant, MI) and a MA Degree in Education from Michigan State University, (East Lansing, MI). She worked for Saginaw County Child Development Services and served on the Carrollton Public School Board of Education. During her tenure in Mississippi, she continued work with student groups and performed community service. Throughout her life she was known for her support of numerous charities and non-profit organizations. Her memory will be cherished by her two sons, Jimmie (Katrina) and Dwayne Nichols of Saginaw, MI; two daughters, Delphine (Michael) Greene of Saginaw, MI and Hollistine (Al) Holston of Braselton, GA.; 12 grandchildren, DeAndria, Matthew, Martin, Kobi, Jimmie III, Ashley, Aloyious II, Michael, Nikolas, Richard, Sha’Tece, and Dwayne Jr. along with 24 great-grandchildren; She is survived by one brother, Clois (Idella) Smith, Toledo, OH; one sister, Leodia (Marzetta) Powell, Kennesaw, GA; and one sister-in-law, Dr. Jean O. Smith, Saginaw, MI; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, her church family, friends including special friends, Ethel Drain, Virgie Nichols, Liz Nichols-Bitleris, Evelyn Woods and Fannie Mae Nichols. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jimmie L. Nichols, Sr.; oldest son, Darwin Nichols; step-daughter, Brenda Nichols-Foster; great-granddaughter, Maisie Grace Nichols; parents, Johnnie T. and Beatrice (Tingle) Smith; sisters, Hazel Woodhouse, Viola Smith and Velma Bell; brothers, Rev. Henry Clay, Johnie D., Johnnie Albert, and Raymond Smith; special friend, Dessie Cullins. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 16, 2022, from the Chapel of Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 North Jefferson Avenue, Saginaw, Michigan 48607, Pastor Delwin Tatum, Sr. will officiate. Visitation will take place 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Mrs. Thelma Jane Nichols will be taken to: Beck Funeral Home, Inc., 10460 Co Road 561, Philadelphia, MS 39350. (601) 656-1191.