Elwyn Coats Nichols, age 96 of Vestavia passed away peacefully on Friday evening April 13, 2018 surrounded by his loving family, his homegoing coming just one day after the 37th anniversary of the death of his beloved first wife Doris. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Eugene and Bettie Coats Nichols, three brothers, Cecil, Tom, Conway and one sister Oleta Sellers, his first wife Doris Brook Nichols and second wife Mary Jernigan Nichols. Survivors include one son, Donald Elwyn Nichols (Cindy), Birmingham and one daughter Marcia Nichols White (John), Atlanta, GA, and was known as Dede to grandchildren Whitney W. Williams (Todd), Atlanta, GA, Lauren W. Laird (Lee), Jackson, MS, Haley W. Grayless (Ryan), Houston, TX, Kay N. Morton (Tre), Brook B. Nichols (Katie) of Birmingham and 10 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three step-children Judy J. Presley (Olin), John Jernigan, Susan J. Wessinger (John) and their children Suzanne Pressley, Elizabeth Jernigan, David, Michael and Patrick Wessinger. Elwyn graduated from Woodlawn High School, attended Duke University and is a graduate of the Consumer School of Banking, the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA. Prior to the beginning of World War Two he was employed with Universal Carloading and Distributing Company working there until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving four years aboard the U.S.S Scania in the Southwestern Pacific theater. He was Seaman 1st Class responsible for disbursing and supervising pay records and assisting pay officers on payday. He was honorably discharged at the end of the war then recalled to active duty for two years during the Korean War. Elwyn spent more than 35 years with the Birmingham Trust National Bank and its successors SouthTrust Bank, Wachovia and Wells Fargo, N.A. where he served as Branch Manager of the North Birmingham, Woodlawn and East Lake offices before being promoted to Senior Vice President of Branch Administration. He was a faithful and dedicated employee whose mantra was "if the body is warm, be there". Active in the community, he served as president of the Eastern Sales Club and the Crestwood Civic Association who named him "Mr. Crestwood 1977". He was a life-long member of Woodlawn Baptist Church (now Liberty Park Baptist Church) and Brookwood Baptist Church serving faithfully as Deacon, committee member and Sunday School teacher. A celebration of his life will be held Monday, April 16, 2018 at 11 a.m. at Liberty Park Baptist Church, 12001 Liberty Parkway, Birmingham, AL with internment at Forest Crest later in the afternoon, Reverend Randy Overstreet and Dr. Scott Guffin officiating. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the hour of the service. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in his name to Liberty Park Baptist Church, Wounded Warriors or to the charity of your choice.
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