Betty Martin Nichols

The Orchard in Ridgeland, held in the arms of loved ones. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and quickly a faithful friend to whomever she met. She was 89.

Mrs. Nichols was born July 24, 1925 in Cape Girardeau, MO, to Marie Wagner and Raymond Shirley Martin. She moved to Jackson in 1927. She was Miss Central High School of the class of 1943 and attended MSCW and Vanderbilt University.

On July 1, 1946 she married Dr. Howard Hunter Nichols of Nashville, TN, a captain in the Medical Corps during World War II and the Korean War. They were devoted sweethearts and soulmates for 70 years. Together they were founding members, teachers, and ruling elders of Covenant Presbyterian Church, with Betty singing in the choir. They have been members of Briarwood Presbyterian Church since 2008.

Mrs. Nichols was on the Board of Trustees of the Jackson School District (1965-1970) and appointed by then mayor Allen Thompson to help draft the city’s desegregation plan. She was Past President of the Jackson Junior League and on the Board of Directors of Mississippi Ballet International. For 25 years she volunteered at the University Medical Center, serving over 7500 hours assisting families in the Intensive Care Unit waiting room. Mrs. Nichols was active in Presbyterian Women and she and Dr. Nichols were Mission Enablers for the Mississippi Presbytery. She was on the Board of Trustees of Columbia Theological Seminary and French Camp Academy. She led a weekly devotional service at Lakeland Health Center.

Betty was adored for her irrepressible joy, generous and gracious spirit, and heart of unbounded love. She greeted each day with an eager zest for life and a sense of adventure, embracing every circumstance as an opportunity for seeing and doing good. She enriched our world and leaves a huge legacy.

She is preceded in death by her parents, a son, Howard Hunter Nichols, and brother-in-law Robert Nichols.

She is survived by her husband and her children, Nancy McCurley (Tom) of Nashville, TN and Janie Nichols of Columbus, GA.

Mrs. Nichols is further survived by two grandsons, Joseph McCurley (Katrine) of Oslo, Norway and Greer McCurley (Sarah) of Lincoln NE. She is great-grandmother to Markus and Kaya, Olivia and Thomas McCurley.

Mrs. Nichols is survived by two brothers, Dr. Raymond Martin (Margery) of Jackson and Ed Martin (Hazel) of Lake Charles, La.; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Allen and Dot Nichols of Nashville, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Thursday, January 15, 3-4 pm at The Orchard, 600 S. Pear Orchard Rd, Ridgeland, MS. A Witness to the Resurrection celebrating her life will be held 10 am Saturday, January 17 at Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Jackson, with visitation at the church beforehand at 9 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be given to Stewpot Ministries Prescription Fund set up in her honor by her grandson.