Linda Nichols, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on April 7, 2025, at the age of 75. Born on October 7, 1949, in Willimantic, Connecticut, she was the cherished daughter of Viva Mae Franklin and James V. Brown, Jr. Shortly after her father’s discharge from the U.S. Air Force, the family relocated to Olla, Louisiana, where Linda, though not born there, developed a deep connection to the state and considered herself a native Louisianan.
In 1991, Linda, alongside her military husband, moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, and subsequently to Tucson, Arizona in 1992. It was in Tucson that she found her true home, falling in love with the city and its surroundings.
Linda leaves behind her devoted husband of 36 years, Jimmie Nichols, and her children: Michael Bennett, Dana Smith, and Barrett Smith. She is also survived by two grandchildren, Brittany Rouse and Brandon Smith, and one great-granddaughter. Her parents, James Virgil Brown and Viva Mae Franklin Coleman, and her son, Eric Smith, preceded her in death.
Linda's warmth, kindness, and unwavering love will forever be deeply missed by her family and friends. Her legacy lives on through the cherished memories and the love she bestowed upon all who knew her.
