Tommie Smith Nichols, 84, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Saturday, April 28, 2018 at Pruitt Health in Fitzgerald.
Funeral services will be held 2 PM, Monday, April 30, 2018, at Central United Methodist Church in Fitzgerald with the Rev. Dr. Richard Wright and the Rev. B.J. Funk officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 Sunday evening in the chapel of the funeral home in Fitzgerald.
Mrs. Nichols was born January 31, 1934, in Fitzgerald, Georgia to the late J. Tom & Norma Alice Griffin Smith. She was a 1952 graduate of Fitzgerald High School. She was a wonderful cook and seamstress and an avid reader. Mrs. Nichols loved to study her Bible. She was an active member of Central United Methodist Church where she taught the Golden Believers Sunday school class, sang in the choir, and served as church hostess and Wednesday Night Supper cook. She prepared many meals for MYF as her daughters grew up. She also served as church secretary and bookkeeper for the church for many years and later worked as dietary manager at Osceola Nursing Home in Ocilla. Mrs. Nichols was loved by all who knew her and found great joy in her love for her Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ.
She is survived by her four daughters and their spouses: Janie Nichols Jones & Johnny of Quitman, Julie Nichols Robitzsch & Tommy, Sr. of Warner Robins, Jerrie Nichols Tanner & Avery of Fitzgerald, and Jeanie Nichols Bishop & Duane of Douglas; grandchildren: Tommy M. Robitzsch, Jr. & Angela, Aimee Layfield & Clayton, Joey Robitzsch & Christina, Jeremy Martin, Brandon Robitzsch, Kelly Hanks & Bryan, Nick Jones, Blake Bishop, and Emily Bishop; great-grandchildren: Mack Robitzsch, III, William Robitzsch, Blaine Layfield, Caroline Robitzsch, Wesley Robitzsch, Brett Martin, Madelyn Robitzsch, Evan Robitzsch, Carson Hanks, and Brooklyn Hanks; a brother, Gerald Smith & Betty of Knoxville, Tennessee; and a sister-in-law, Elke Smith Howell & Marchmon of Ocilla. Mrs. Nichols is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews that loved and adored her. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle Donald “Nick” Nichols; four brothers: Lawson Smith, David Smith, Victor Smith, and Robert Griffin Smith; and four sisters: Nell Owens, Betty Marsh, Mary Eunice Smith, and Connie Watson.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to Central United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 428, Fitzgerald, GA 31750.