John Nichols

John Ellis Nichols, 86, of Pelham, Alabama died after an extended illness on November 21, 2022. He was born in Brooksville, Alabama, on June 27, 1936 to Jesse Anderson Nichols and Ida Mae Daily Nichols who preceded him in death as did his brother Niles Nichols (Helen). He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years Mary Elizabeth (“Beth”) Phillips Nichols, his sons Chris Nichols (Michele) and Phillip Nichols (Betsy), his grandchildren, Elizabeth Nichols, John Charles Nichols, Sam Nichols and Ben Nichols, sister in law June Horton (Donald) as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was a member of First Baptist Church Pelham and a former member of Bellevue Baptist Church of Gadsden, Alabama. John was born in Brooksville, but spent most of his life in Gadsden, Alabama, where he was a 1954 graduate of Emma Sansom High School where he met Beth, the love of his life. He worked for over 40 years at Republic Steel Corporation (and successor companies), retiring in 1997. Upon retirement he embarked on the true passion of his life- being a grandfather. He was lovingly known and referred to as Grandaddy by not only his own grandchildren but many of their friends and their families. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation and thanks to all of his caregivers, especially the employees and representatives of Physical Therapy South (Pelham), Comfort Care Home Health, Amedisys Hospice, and especially the Bonds of Love caregivers Tarnise Small, Toneisha Nelson, Jayla Hubbard, and Jessica Pearson, who not only cared for but loved Grandaddy as if he were there own. Funeral services will be at Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home, 2701 John Hawkins Parkway, Hoover, Alabama 35244. Visitation will be Saturday, November 26 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm with funeral service at 1:00 pm, Rev. Randy Atkinson presiding, and interment to follow at the Currie-Jefferson Mausoleum. Pallbearers will be Chris Bradford, Nicolas Bradford, David Cannon, Doug Jackson, Perry Jackson, Jay Nichols and Randy Phillips. In lieu of flowers the family would request memorials may be made to either First Baptist Church Pelham, 2867 Pelham Parkway, Pelham, Al 35124, or the ALS Association Alabama Chapter, 300 Cahaba Park Circle, Suite 209, Birmingham, Al 35242