Grace Elliott Nichols

Grace was born in Birmingham, Alabama on December 2, 1919, to Luther Smith Elliott and Hattie Nabors Elliott. She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Howard Russell Nichols; 2 brothers: Herman Kenneth Elliott and Leamon Silas Elliott, and five sisters: Vida Mae Smith, Annie Lee Webb, Rosebud Bonar, Maxine O’Brien, and Ruth Nabors.

She is survived by two daughters: Maxanna Nichols and Dixie N. Thompson (Tommy); four grandchildren: Justin Evans Thompson (Becki), Thomas Clay Thompson (Ginger), Ashton T. Counselman (Michael), and Antea Lefevre; one great- granddaughter, Isabella Grace Counselman; and a devoted nephew, Raymond Loyd.

Grace graduated from St. Claire County High School outside of Birmingham, and immediately moved to Atlanta where she worked as a teletype operator sending messages to and from our servicemen in World War II. She met a Marine Corp. drill instructor (Nichols) on a blind date in Tybee Island, South Carolina. They were married in Atlanta, Georgia on August 10, 1943.

She was an active member of the Jackson Heights Garden Club, where she served numerous offices. It was at these meetings that she became dear friends with Ray Northam. These two women became best of friends, sharing flowers and their love of gardening.

Grace was a member of Dauphin Way Baptist Church since she moved to Mobile in 1956. She was a devoted and loving wife and mother. Her world centered around her children, grandchildren, and great grandchild.

Our family wishes to extend a special thanks to Sue Lolley who cared for “Ms. Grace” for over 4 years. Thanks for the loving care provided by so many at Cogburn West Nursing Home.

Funeral services will be held from the chapel of Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home on Saturday, April 21, 2012, at 2 p.m. The family will received friends from 1 p.m. until the service hour. Interment will be in Mobile Memorial Gardens. Serving as pallbearers will be Justin Thompson, Clay Thompson, Michael Counselman, Tom Thompson, Buddy Livingston, and Raymond Loyd. Condolences may be offered at www.mmgfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 6040 Three Notch Road, Mobile, Alabama 36619.