December 13, 2015

Neal Marshall “Nick” Nichols Sr. of Russellville, passed away Dec. 13, 2015, at the age of 84. Visitation was Dec. 16 at Akins Funeral Home in Russellville. The funeral followed at 2 p.m. at Akins Funeral Home Chapel, with Bro. DeWayne Crumley officiating. Interment followed in Ramsey Cemetery with Masonic Rites. Sons and grandsons served as pall bearers. Members of Russellville Lodge #371 and other Freemasons in attendance served as honorary pall bearers.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Frances Anne Borden Nichols; parents, Adam Brocton Nichols and Mary Ann Lawrimore Nichols; sisters, Annie Mae Nicholson, Rena Sue Whitaker and Betty Jean Welch; grandson John Adam Nichols; son Eddie Nichols; nephew Steven Borden; and nieces, Pamela Sue Russell and Ginger Shadix.

He is survived by his second wife, Kathy Nichols; daughter, Sandra Anne Nichols Fortner and husband Tommy, Russellville; sons, Neal Marshall Nichols Jr. and wife Kaye and Sydney Christopher Nichols and wife Denette of Russellville, Randall Steven Nichols and wife Pam of Owensboro, Ky., and Joseph Patrick “Skip” Nichols and wife Ashley of Tuscumbia; grandchildren, Stephanie Anne Fortner, Neal Marshall Nichols III and wife Tiffany, Bradley Duane Scott Nichols, Shiann Sillett, Brandi Jill Nichols and husband Ray, MaryBeth Nichols, Mellissa Lynne Lane and husband Michael, Christopher Aaron Nichols and wife Jessica,  Rachel Ann Nichols Franks and husband Rick, Daniel Steven Nichols and Hanna Abigail Nichols; great-grandchildren, Tori-Anne Cuevas, Autumn Bunn, Caleb Nichols, Bella Nichols, Holden Nichols, Kristina Vandervort, Hailey Vandervort, Karrah Nichols, Kayden Nichols, Maggie Franks and Mae Beth Franks; daughter-in-law, Helen Nichols; brothers-in-law, James Nicholson and Gerald Borden; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

He farmed cotton in Mt. Hope and worked painting rail tankers in the off-seasons until he moved to Chicago to work for Hotpoint and Motorola. In 1965 he returned to Alabama and settled in Russellville, a more suitable location in which to raise a family. He worked at Reynolds Metals until he retired in 1992. He was a member of the Aluminum Workers International Union, Local #200. Always one to stay busy, he also operated a small engine repair shop and a gas station during his early years at Reynolds. He worked one full shift as a police officer in Phil Campbell, and you should have heard him tell the story about that night.