James Calvin Nichols, 75, passed away Friday, January 23, 2015, at the North Mississippi Medical Center. He was born May 26, 1939, to Henry and Jewel Barnes Nichols. He retired after 25 years at Tupelo Tool and Die. He was a sargeant in the U.S. Army in Korea where he was a message decoder and had the highest security clearance available. He formed and built Friendship Baptist Church and was a long-time member of New Hope Baptist Church. He was a founding member of Walnut Grove Baptist Church where he served as song leader and adult Sunday school teacher. He hosted a TV program on Unity Broadcasting-TV 39 two times a week ever since the station’s inception in 1994. He enjoyed gardening, flower gardening, and especially singing Gospel music.
Services will be at 3 p. m. Sunday, January 25, at the McNeece-Morris Funeral Home Chapel in Fulton with Bro. James Wilson and Bro. Grady Davidson officiating. Burial will be in the Hillcrest Masonic Cemetery.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Mary Sue Nichols; his three daughters, Teressa Johnson of Mantachie, Melissa Kennedy (Kirk) of Tupelo, and Cynthia Canup (B.J.) of Fulton; six grandchildren, Jessica Grammer (Mason), Chelsea Canup, Haley Johnson, Victoria Kennedy, Rachel Canup, and Alex Johnson; two great-grandchildren, Chris and Kalem Grammer; five brothers, Bro. Waldo Nichols (Hazel) and R. B. Nichols (Martha), both of Ryan’s Well, and David Nichols, Bro. Jerry Nichols (Ann), and Gary Nichols (Sue), all of Fulton; three sisters, Nona Clynese Allred of Fulton, Linda Pitts (A.J.) of Tupelo, and Brenda Burcham (Mackie) of Mooreville; and one sister-in-law, Jean Kilgore of Mantachie.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Elese Senter (Elmo), one brother, Richard Senter (Oleta); and his mother-in-law, Cora Lee Morrison.
Pallbearers will be Macky Nichols, Ricky Nichols, Tony Wilson, Adam Palmer, Tim Pearce, and Mason Grammer.
Honorary pallbearers will be Bro. Thelbert Hill, Alex Johnson, and members of his Sunday school class at Walnut Grove Baptist Church.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p. m. Saturday, January 24, at the funeral home.
