Lois Jean Nichols

Lois Jean Abbott Nichols, 90, of Jacksonville, Florida passed away on July 7, 2025. She was born in Spann Hill (near Monticello), Kentucky on April 9, 1935 and was the third of five children born to Obie and Mary Abbott. Her siblings included Geneva Ruth, George Thomas, Pauline and Bettye Louise. Her parents moved the family to Peoria in 1939.

Lois graduated from Woodruff High School in Peoria, IL and shortly after married Jack Nichols of East Peoria on November 5, 1953. They started their life together in Honolulu where he was stationed in the Navy and welcomed their first daughter, Sylvia Leilani (deceased) in 1955. After returning to Peoria, they welcomed three more children together. Her surviving children include Cynthia Anne (Bob) Jacobs, Stacy Louise (Jesse – deceased) James and Stephen Lee (Aileen) Stumetz. Many summer vacations and family reunions took place in Monticello, Kentucky. Lois worked for a time as a secretary with the Catholic Diocese of Peoria. In 1969, she married David Stumetz and moved with her children to Lake Charles, Louisiana. During his tenure with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), they made several moves and ultimately settled for many years in Daytona Beach. Lois had an enjoyable seven-year career in public relations with Halifax Hospital. Regarding her work in hospital public relations, she frequently commented “I enjoyed it so much I would have paid them to work there!” David and Lois returned to Peoria in the mid-1980s where she held public relations roles with BroMenn Hospital and LR Nelson receiving notable industry awards for newsletter publications at both companies. After their divorce, she relocated to Mount Dora, Florida and married Jerome "Jerry" Nichols in 1997. She was married to Jerry for 10 years before his passing. After his death, she moved to Jacksonville to be near family.

Lois had an early interest in equality and advancement for women in business and was a member of the Business and Professional Women’s Club of West Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana during the 1970’s. As an early advocate for the Equal Rights Amendment, she introduced her daughter Cynthia to the importance of these causes through her active membership and attendance at meetings of the National Organization for Women. As a descendant of Jacob Troxell and following her sister Pauline Conyer’s footsteps, she was very proud to be inducted as a member of the Stephen Decatur Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Lois was a passionate reader her entire life with authors James Patterson and Tom Clancy being recent favorites. She enjoyed traveling and named Chicago, Honolulu and Paris as her favorite cities. Lois enjoyed music by her favorites Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald and the Oak Ridge Boys.

In addition to her children, Lois is survived by her sister, Bettye (Bill) Keeton; sister-in-law Judith Bodine; grandchildren, Stephanie, Jonathan, Cynthia, Clara, Dana, Jennifer, Sara, Bobby, Lena; great-grandchildren Alexis, Nicolas, Mateo, Georgia, Elsie, Leilani and many nephews and nieces.

A graveside service will be held at Swan Lake Memory Gardens, Peoria Illinois on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 10AM.