Willit Hudson Nichols
January 29, 1930 - June 16, 1995
Gospel Preacher
Hudson Nichols Died June 16
Hudson Nichols, 65, of Jasper, Alabama, died at his residence June 16. He had suffered from Leukemia about two and one-half years. This illness eventually forced his retirement from preaching. He moved back to Jasper, where he grew up. Death claimed him less than three months later.
His first eleven years of schooling were at Jasper, where his father (the late Gus Nichols) preached for forty-three years. For his senior year Hudson attended David Lipscomb High School, then graduated from Freed-Hardeman College. However, this did not terminate his studies, and in the ensuing years he amassed a library of hundreds of volumes.
At the age of fourteen, Hudson preached his first sermon, and (like his father) he spent the rest of his life preaching the gospel of Christ. He served as local minister for churches of Christ in Amory, and Iuka, MS; Rayville, LA; Savannah, TN; Oxford, AL; Gastonia, NC; Owensboro, KY; Evansville, IN; and the Yeaman Church of Christ, Falls Of Rough, KY. In addition to his local ministry, he preached in revivals in at least fourteen states.
Hudson also taught in the School of Biblical Knowledge, Evansville, IN, for four years. He served as the Director of that school for fifteen months. At the same time he did "mission" work at Oakland City, IN. All this work was under the oversight of the elders of the Oak Hill church in Evansville.
For many years Hudson served on the Board of Central Alabama Christian Youth Camp ("CACY Camp"). As a teacher, and a counselor, as well as by personal friendship, he touched the lives of countless young people. Even in his later years he served on the Board, and also as a teacher, at West Kentucky Christian Youth Camp, Marion, KY.
Funeral services were Sunday, June 18, at the Sixth Avenue Church of Christ in Jasper. Two of his brothers, Hardeman Nichols, of Dallas, TX, and Flavil Nichols, of Jasper, spoke. Brad Dillingham, of Corinth, MS, Hudson's co-worker in North Carolina in 1980-1981, conducted the graveside rites in Walker Memory Gardens, at Jasper.
Hudson is survived by his wife: Marilyn (nee: Harwell, who grew up in Corinth, MS, whom he met at Freed-Hardeman); and by two sons: Hudson Ray Nichols (and his wife Sherry), of Owensboro, KY, and Lindsey Joe Nichols (and his wife Cathy), of Jasper. He leaves also one grandson: Derek Nichols, of Jasper, and two granddaughters: Lauren Nichols, of Jasper, and Amanda Nichols, of Owensboro, KY.
Other survivors include three sisters: Gracie (Mrs. Frank D.) Young, Pulaski, TN, Bertha (Mrs. G. Rile) Blackwood, Jasper, Carrie (Mrs. W.T.) Hamilton, Waxahachie, TX; and by three brothers: Flavil H. Nichols, Jasper; Foy W. Nichols, Indianapolis, IN; and S. Hardeman Nichols, Dallas, TX. His motherin-law, Mrs. Kate Harwell, of Corinth, MS also survives him.
Hudson was preceded in death by an infant unnamed son in 1952. A daughter, Sharon Sue Nichols, died in 1979. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gus Nichols, predeceased him, as did also one sister, Vodie (Mrs. A. J.) Kerr.
The last Sunday he was able to attend worship, the church at Yeaman gave him and Marilyn a plaque, which reads:
Presented to Hudson and Marilyn: You came in 1990, and worked with us until 1995. You leave us stronger in the faith. Our love and respect go with you. Yeaman Church of Christ April 9,1995.
The Yearnan church also gave all that was contributed that day above their budget, to start a "Retirement Fund" for Hudson and Marilyn. Every congregation in Grayson County sent to this fund (either then, or later); and other churches and individuals (some of whom are not Christians!) have subsequently contributed to it. Gifts in Hudson's memory may be sent to the Sharon Sue Nichols Memorial Scholarship Fund, Freed-Hardeman University, Henderson, TN 38340. Before her death, their daughter was a kindergarten teacher, and this fund helps train Early Childhood Education majors. Marilyn may be contacted by telephone at (205) 384-9229, or at P.O. Box 1724, Jasper, AL 35502. -- Submitted by Flavil H. Nichols, Route 9, Box 541 Jasper, AL 35501
-The World Evangelist, August, 1995, p.4
DEATHS
Evangelist Willet Hudson Nichols Dies
Willit Hudson Nichols, 65, of Jasper died at his Third Avenue residence Friday morning.
Services are scheduled for 3 p.m. today at the Sixth Avenue Church of Christ in Jasper with burial in Walker Memory Gardens. Two of his brothers, Hardeman Nichols of Dallas, Texas, and Flavil Nichols of Jasper, will officiate. Brad Dillingham of Corinth, Miss., who was Hudson's co-worker in North Carolina will conduct the graveside rites.
Nichols has suffered from leukemia for two years, which forced his retirement from preaching and his recent move back to Jasper where he grew up. He is survived by his wife Marilyn, and two sons, Hudson ray Nichols of Owensboro, Ky., and Lindsey Joe Nichols of Jasper; and by one grandson, Derek Nichols of Jasper, and two granddaughters, Lauren Nichols of Jasper and Amanda Nichols of Owensboro, Ky.
He is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Frank D. (Gracie) Young, Pulaski, Tenn., Mrs G. Rile (Bertha) Blackwood of Jasper, Mrs. W.T. (Carrie) Hamilton, Waxahachie, Texas, and by three brothers, Foy W. Nichols of Indianapolis, Indiana, and S. Hardeman Nichols of Dallas, Texas. Also surviving him is his mother-in-law, Mrs. Kate Harwell of Corinth, Miss.
He was preceded in death by an infant (unnamed) son (1952), and by a daughter, Sharon Sue Nichols, who died in 1979. His parents also (Mr. and Mrs. Gus Nichols) predeceased him, as did one sister, Mrs. A.J. (Vodie) Kerr.
He was educated in Jasper City Schools and Walker County High School after which he attended David Lipscomb, and Freed-Hardeman College (now University). At the age of 14, Hudson preached his first sermon, and like his father, the late Gus Nichols, spent his life preaching the gospel of Christ. He served as local minister for churches of Christ in Amory and Iuka, Mississippi. Rayville, Louisiana, Savannah, Tennessee, Oxford, Alabama; Gastonia, North Carolina; Owensboro, Kentucky, Evansville, Indiana and the Yeaman Church of Christ, Falls of Rough, Kentucky. While there, he became a victim of leukemia, which forced his resignation and his return to his hometown.
For many years, Hudson Nichols served on the Board of Central Alabama Christian Youth Camp (Camp CACY), and touched the lives of countless young people as a teacher, and a counselor, as well as by personal friendship. Even in his later years he served on the board, and also as a teacher at West Kentucky Christian Youth Camp, Marion, Kentucky. In addition to his local preaching, he also conduced revivals in at least 14 states.
-Daily Mountain Eagle, Obituary
Directions To Grave:
From Birmingham, Alabama head northwest on Hwy 78 toward Memphis. About 40 miles from Birmingham you will arrive in Jasper, Alabama. In Jasper you will need to take the Hwy 5 exit. Proceed up the ramp and turn right on Hwy 5 (Ninth Ave.) About 3/10ths of a mile Hwy 5 will bear to the left toward Haleyville. Continue to the left on Hwy. 5 for about a mile and the Walker Memory Garden Cemetery will be on your right. Go into the cemetery and approach the cemetery office. From the cemetery office head straight for the mausoleums in the middle of the cemetery. Just before the mausoleum you will find the graves of the Nichols family.
GPS Location
33.860698,-87.294923
Arrows L-R pointing to plots of Pervie Nichols, A.J. Kerr & Hudson Nichols (under tree)
Sharon Nichols
Dec. 18, 1954
July 16, 1979
W. Hudson Nichols
Jan. 29, 1930
June 16, 1995