Loretta G Nichols

Loretta Gullion Nichols, 97, passed away on March 7th in Lakeland,
Florida. She was a wonderful Wife, Mother, Sister, Aunt, Grandmother,
and Great Grandmother. She was the widower of Forrest James “Jay” Nichols.
They shared 65 years of marriage together.

Loretta was born in Higginson, Arkansas on January 29th,1927. She was the
daughter of Jess Edward Gullion and Maggie Lorene Gullion. She would
list her occupation as housewife, but that word is insufficient in
describing her many roles in our family. Her husband spent a lot of
time on the road owing to his occupation in the watermelon business.
As a result, she was the backbone of our family. A more complete
description is that she was our spiritual leader, she maintained our
home, she was our accountant, our seamstress, she encouraged us, she
disciplined us (all well-deserved), she was a wonderful and gracious
host no matter who showed up, how many showed up, and for
however long they showed up, she was a skilled cook who could,
thankfully, cook the large amounts of food necessary for her family.
She was a long time and active member of the TBA Church. She
enjoyed painting, travelling, and watching the Lakeland Dreadnaughts
play football. But most of all, she enjoyed attending worship service at
TBA and being around her family and friends.

She is survived by her brother John Gullion (Hilda), her sons, Jay Nichols
(Nora), Mike Nichols (Lisa), and Steve Nichols (Becky), grandchildren,
Kristin Peddy (Robert), Carlos Nichols (Karen), Hugo Nichols
(Stephanie), Mark Nichols (Wendy), John Nichols, Ross Nichols (Jen),
Andrew Nichols, and four great grandchildren and many nieces and
nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jay Nichols, her sisters,
Bonnie Ruth Gullion, Imogene Gullion, and Glenna Stephens
There will be a visitation on March 19 th at 10:00 AM followed by a
memorial service at 11:00 AM Lakeland Funeral Home at 2125 Bartow
Road, Lakeland, Florida 33801, followed with interment at the Lakeland
Memorial Gardens, also located at 2125 Bartow Road, Lakeland, Florida
33801.

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