Jay Nichols

Funeral services for James Patrick Nichols of Charleston, South Carolina will be held on Wednesday, April 6th at Chapel Hill Baptist Church in Northport, Alabama at ten o'clock in the morning. Jay died on April 1 in Charleston. He was twenty-four. Family friend and pastor of First Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, Dr. Gil McKee, will officiate. Burial will be 2 p.m. graveside at Jefferson Memorial Gardens in Trussville, Alabama with Sunset Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing. Visitation will be tonight from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Jay is the son of Dr. & Mrs. James (Susan) Nichols of Northport, Alabama. He is survived by sisters Sharon, 26, of Charleston and Grace, 20, of Northport. Grandparents Walton and Jean Nichols live in Birmingham. He was born in Jackson, Alabama and lived in Troy for several years before moving with his family to Maryland. Jay graduated from Annapolis Area Christian School in Annapolis, Maryland before attending the University of Alabama.

Pallbearers are Kevin Thomas, Richie Gallena, and Chris Beck, all of Maryland; and Ryan Wilson, Stephen Cross, and Chris Booker, all of Alabama. Honorary pallbearers include Trevor Hastings, Pat Nolan, Becca Stafford, Brooks Nussear, Megan Hirschler, Tyler Myers, Morgan Sanders, Will Hodges, and Brian Matney.

In high school, Jay excelled in both baseball and basketball. He was known for the leadership he displayed in these athletic arenas. He was the consummate teammate with a gift for inspiring, entertaining, and motivating others, both on the field and in life.

Jay had an uncanny ability to make people feel good about themselves. He didn't walk into a room- he bounced. Jay wasn't a brawler, but he'd fight to the end for any team from the University of Alabama. Enduringly positive and endearingly mischievous, he'll be eternally remembered for his lightness of spirit and ability to make others laugh.

Jay lived life for the stories he'd have to tell others. In the end, the best way to honor his memory is to tell his stories and smile.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Jay's memory to David Rajan India Missions, or to WCCM, in care of Chapel Hill Baptist Church, 8790 Highway 43 North, Northport, Alabama 35473, or The Foundry, 1800 4th Avenue North, Bessemer, Alabama 35020.