Eva Lanelle Nichols

LaNelle was born on July 12, 1941, in Shreveport to the late Robert Fairel and Nancy Winters Fairel. She was raised alongside her brothers, Robert Fairel and Douglas Fairel, both of whom preceded her in death. In her youth, LaNelle lived across the United States and in Germany while her father was in the United States Army Air Corps.

LaNelle married the love of her life, Bobby Earl Nichols, with whom she shared a devoted and faith-filled marriage until his passing on September 3, 2014. Together they built a home centered on love, prayer, and family, raising four children who were her greatest joy: Kym Brunson, Todd Nichols, Sherri Nichols, and Teresa Long.

A woman of deep Christian faith, LaNelle lived her life anchored in her relationship with Jesus. Her strength, compassion, and steadfast trust in God shaped her family and all who knew her. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who prayed faithfully for her family and delighted in their lives.

LaNelle is survived by her children; her eight grandchildren—Greg Brunson, Stephanie Thompson, Katie Loudin, Jonathon Long, Ashley Dominguez, Austin Nichols, Abigail Nichols, and Anna Nichols; and her eleven great-grandchildren—Kendall, Harper, Maddox, Wyatt, Alice, Noa, Bethel, Selah, Margo, Audrey, and Finn.

She will be remembered for her unwavering faith and her enduring love for her family. Her legacy continues through the generations who follow her, each touched by her prayers, her encouragement, and her example of Christlike love.

A graveside service honoring LaNelle’s life will be held on Tuesday, November 25th at 2:00 PM at Forest Hill Cemetery in Birmingham, Alabama. Flowers can be sent to Elmwood Chapel Funeral Home, 800 Dennison Avenue SW, Birmingham, Alabama 35211. Her family invites friends and loved ones to honor her memory by living out the values she cherished most—faith in God, love for family, and kindness toward others.

LaNelle is now reunited with her beloved Bob and with loved ones who have gone before her. Though she will be deeply missed, her family rejoices in the assurance that she is at peace in the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.