Morris “Moe” Nichols Jr. flew away the morning of May 28th, 2021, to spread seeds of joy and love to that holy garden in heaven. Although we may believe he is gone too soon, his life was complete with love, laughter, friendship, and passion…and we are thankful for the blessing of experiencing a real superhero…Super Moe!
Moe was born on May 29, 1974, in Houston, TX to Johnnie Mae and Bert Ryan. As the second HMIC (head male in charge), he took his role as “Big Bro” and protector of his two younger sisters, Natasha and Khaliliah quite seriously, as he was often caught pulling pigtails, giving wet willies, and scaring boys away. Additionally, Big Moe began supporting his family by joining the workforce at the early age of 15 working at Pizza Hut. Young adulthood was not all flower petals and sprinklers. Graduation from Eisenhower High School in 1992 served a “Big Moe” sized helping of reality and being accountable for personal decisions and finances. Gone were the days of mindless spending on comics and girls, and daydreaming while drawing “Afro-Man,” as he became the first to leave the nest. However, he soon exchanged his short-lived bachelor life in 1996 for 25 years of marital bliss with the love of his life…his “Booboo”, who we all know as Keisha Nichols.
Throughout the years, Moe continued to grow and develop as a man and professional as a Mason in the position of a Master Mason Tiler Guard, with the acquisition of his Associates degree and Field Irrigations Engineer certification at DeVry Technical Institute, and through experience at well-known companies like Walgreens Distribution Center, Ewing and Monarch Irrigation, and PVAMU. These experiences were pivotal in positioning Moe for his life’s purpose…passionately working to provide for his family and his Booboo (especially allowing him to work outdoors where he could bring her flowers daily), helping others to become better versions of themselves (not exclusive to family members) by instilling a love for the outdoors, and making sure his Booboo had fun in the sun at the beach at least 3 times a year!
Many loved ones departed to the holy garden before him to welcome him home and throw down “Big Moe” style for his 47th birthday on May 29th including Bert Ryan (dad), Tim (best-homie), Maudie “Granny” Lee (paternal grandmother), Bugsy Nichols (cat), Mama Ola Bea (Grandmother-in-law), Mary Youngblood (maternal grandmother), among others. Ain’t no party like a Big Moe party if the pit ain’t lit, the fryer grease ain’t poppin’, and ALL 20 dishes aren’t finger lickin’ good!
Morris left behind a house lively with 7 nephews and 3 nieces: Jaz, Destinie, Sebastian, Jayden, Quinton, Donest IV, Edgerrin, Cassius, Silas, and Sydney, who he reminds to never get too comfortable, since you never know when the next mosquito shot to the back of the neck is coming! And to his mother Johnnie, wife Keisha “Booboo”, sisters Natasha and Khaliliah, brother-in-law Donest III, and 3 “brothers from another mother” TJ, Roy, and Antonio…he reluctantly relinquishes his self-proclaimed “Best Family Chef” title, leaving it up for grabs (until we meet again)! Finally, he leaves Afro-man, as a reminder to “Just say NO to bad ‘Fros!”
You may have known him as Moe, Big Moe, Big Cat, Uncle Moe…whatever you knew Morris as, you knew him to be full of love, laughter, generosity, compassion, faith, fortitude, conviction, integrity, passion for his wife, his family, and for cooking. Everything about him was larger than life…from his big heart of gold to his talkativeness, to his big hands to his big feet. He started talking from the age of two and never stopped, whether about corny jokes, encouraging words, religion and politics, or advice under the guise of “real talk”. The 1993 NBA draft may have passed on his 6’5” frame and size 16 shoe, but they led him through many journeys where he got to know many people from different walks of life, and he persevered through many hardships with a smile. His large hands allowed him to work with determination, principle, and integrity, and to hold on to the things most precious to him. May the legacy of Super Moe and his superpower to love big and laugh bigger, always live on through his family and friends…as we pay a little kindness and joy forward to each person we touch!
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