Edwin Eugene Nickels

Edwin Eugene Nickels, 92, passed away on Thursday, September 11, 2014, in the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center Hospice Unit. Mr. Nickels was born on October 6, 1921 in Scott County, Virginia the son of the late Clyde Willie Nickels and Lois Victoria Strong Nickels. He was a member of the Colonial Heights United Methodist Church and retired with forty-four years of service at Eastman as a Roofing Consultant in the Engineering Department. Mr. Nickels served in the United States Navy during World War II. He was a 32nd Degree Mason, past Grand Master of the Holston Masonic Lodge, a Shriner, and was an avid Genealogist having complied several books for families. He was preceded in death by two brothers, George Nickels and Harry Nickels. Survivors include his wife of sixty-seven years, Violeta Nickels; one son, Garold Nickels and wife Charlene; two daughters, Ramona Gothard and husband Buddy and Kathryn Laws and husband Cecil; four grandchildren, Joel Gothard and wife Mitzi, Travis Williams and wife Debi, Brandy Nickels and Johnathan Nickels and fiancé Christina Labib; eight great-grandchildren, Callie Gothard, Colin Gothard, Kayah Powers, Kaden Powers, Alex Williams, Danica Williams, Brittney Phillips and Gabriel Phillips; one brother, W.B. Nickels and wife Myra; two sisters, Lucille Neeley and Janice Fields; and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends Sunday, September 14, 2014 from 5:00pm until 7:00pm at the East Lawn Funeral Home. Funeral Services for Mr. Edwin Eugene Nickels will be held Sunday, September 14, 2014 at 7:00pm in the East Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with family friend and former Pastor Paul Elmore officiating. Graveside Services will be held Monday, September 15, 2014 at 1:00pm in the Christus Garden of East Lawn Memorial Park with military honors to be rendered by the American Legion Hammond Post #3 and Gate City Post #265. Pallbearers will be Mr. Nickels grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Charity of Choice. The family would like to say a special thanks to all the hospice staff of the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center for their excellent loving care given to Mr. Nickels and family. East Lawn Funeral Home, 4997 Memorial Blvd, Kingsport, TN 37664; 423-288-2081; is honored to be serving the Nickels family.