Donald Ray “Donnie” Nichols, 63, died Sunday, April 8, 2018, at St. Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute. He was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey April 30, 1954, to Donald Ray Nichols, Sr. and Dorothy Nichols. In 1959, he moved to Skyline with his family and went on to graduate from Mooreville High School in 1972. He had spent a number of years living in Plantersville before moving to Missouri after his mother passed away, but Tupelo is where his heart belonged. Earlier in life, he worked in manufacturing at Tecumseh and Air Cap and had also managed Pizza Hut and worked at Towery Furniture Store. Donnie was an avid St. Louis Cardinal’s fan and found great joy in attending family gatherings and visiting with people.
Survivors include one sister, Deborah Bass and her husband, Terry of Kansas City, Missouri; one nephew, Brian Bass and his wife, Wendy of Cabot, Arkansas; one great-niece, Penelope Bass of Cabot; one great-nephew, Abbott Bass of Cabot; family friend, Haley Robinson and her husband, Eddy of Booneville; and numerous cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald Ray Nichols, Sr. and Dorothy Franks Nichols.
Visitation will be from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, April 13, 2018, W.E. Pegues, Tupelo.
Services honoring his life will be 11 a.m. Saturday, April 14, 2018, at the Jefferson Street Chapel of W.E. Pegues. Graveside services will be 4 p.m. Saturday, April 14, 2018 in Nichols Cemetery in Marked Tree, Arkansas.
Honorary pallbearers will be Paul, Bobby, and Bill Brents, Steve Franks, Rocky Stanley and Jim Wilson.
Memorials may be made to the Nichols Cemetery Fund, 402 Poinsette St. Marked Tree, AR 72365.
The service will be live streamed and recorded for those who may not be able to attend at www.peguesfuneralhome.com.
Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com.
