Rev. J.W. Nichols
Rev. J.W. Nichols, born 28 November 1873 Miller County, Arkansas, died 19 January 1941 Cass County, Texas. Married 12 December 1897 to Emily Jane (Jennie) Davis, “born 27 March 1860, died 9 June 1973.
Jessie Whittaker Nichols and Jennie were parents of 14 children: 1. S.D. Nichols married Angella Parker. 2. Veda married S. Rush Davis 3. Bernice died at age five 4-. Virgil Harp died age twenty-four 5. Jewel William married Mamie Esther Stanley.
6. Ruby married Lester Stuckey 7. Ruth married L.D. Wilbanks 8. Rabie married J.T. Mustian 9. S.G., twin, married Geneva Black-man 10. J.B., twin, married Nell Glover 11. Louise, twin, married Rev. J.P. Owens 12. Eloise, twin, married Loyd McGinn 13. Eleanor married Earnest Philpott 14. Earl H. married Louise Pearson J.W. Nichols joined the Baptist Church in 1911 and began preaching in in 1912, was pastor of several churches in the area including Macedonia, Smyrna, and Alamance. J.W. was also a farmer, cotton ginner, operated a grist mill and kept horses and mules to haul logs.
Jessie W. and Jennie are buried in the Macedonia Cemetery.
Jessie W. Nichols was the son of John N. Nichols born 9 August 1847, and Flora Ann Gibson, born 14 October 1854. There were nine children: 1. Charlie married Bula Graves 2. Jessie W. married Jennie Davis 3. Josephine married Tom Hopkins k. Hezikiah married (1) Lucy Blackman, (2) Ora Davis 5. Callie married John Savage 6. Jenny (Sug) married Sam W. Dempsey 7. Henry married Bertha Giles 8. Cora married Will Dunn 9. John K. married Ida White 1967 Texas Baptist Mother of The Year Nominee was Emily Jane Davis Nichols; she was nominated for consideration as the Texas Baptist Mother of the Year by friends and fellow church members.
Her contribution to her community, her church and to Christian family life are gratefully acknowledged.
A certificate was presented jointly by: The Baptist Standard and The Public Relations Office Baptist General Convention of Texas.
GRANDMOTHER EMILY JANE DAVIS NICHOLS I have a quilt that can no longer be valued in materialistic terms. It has become a precious gem.
Because of failing health, the diligent hands that made it were stilled many months ago, but the creative person who used those hands to express her love and care was laid to her final rest at the age of 93.
Grandmother Nichols did not single me out as the only one to have such a treasure, She made all 30 of the grandchildren a quilt, and made many for her great-grandchildren, who outnumbered the grandchildren by 15.
She gave quilts away to her family, her friends, neighbors, or just any one that she thought might need or enjoy them.
She gave her loveliness away-whether in the form of a quilt, a smile, a letter, a piece of embroidery or something she baked.
Grandma preferred busy hands. They were always piecing quilts, crocheting, knitting, tatting, sewing, or doing embroidery work. The last crafts activity she could perform with the least physical exertion was tatting. She did this in her 91st year.
Her interests tell more about her than I can.
They were her home, family, church, community, and just people themselves. She never ventured far from her home. Her home was an extension of herself. She often prayed in this place.
This was where she raised 14 children in this one house.
Many people came to see her. I do not know of anyone who has ever been to see her that was not welcomed with a smile, a from the-heart smile and the words, “I’m so glad to see You.”
She loved and worked in her church. Her husband was a minister. She stood behind him and supported his work in any way that she could. She was a faithful Christian witness.
Grandma’s reading centered around one book-her Bible.
It was real and rewarding and fresh to her as each morning appearance of the sun in the East. She did not just read the Bible-she studied it, searched through its pages, and she meditated upon its message.
She pondered its meaning and often delighted at a new inspiration she had received, shared it with those near to her.
She also used her Bible as a tool, to gently persuade a troubled soul to partake of the help it offered. Her Bible was not stiff and unused. Its pages and cover are thin and worn.
Her hands have turned them, pressed, and smoothed them often.
I have a letter that Grandma wrote to me once, and in it she said several things, but none but the closing line has been stamped indelibly in my mind —”Always be thankful.” She took nothing for granted. The smallest favor was enough to merit her “Thank You.”
Even in her last letter, read, because of her insistence, only after her death, she said thank you againfor the blessings she had in this life for the things her loved ones had done for her. She was never one who allowed herself to lament and indulge in the sorrow and pain that comes with a full life. She left that in the hands of God.
Grandma never eared for gossip-she cared for people-for their goodness. She liked to see them rise above human weaknesses.
She could share in your joy and laughter, and shed tears besides your own.
She had a special rapport with God’s earth. She enjoyed planting seeds and watching things grow. She joyed in the harvest-again not for herself. This time she gave her love away in the guise of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Flowers planted by her hands would bloom luscious and full. It is apparent to me that Grandma Nichols shared in an understanding, in a close fellowship with God and the world she lived in.
I wish I could write more at out Grandpa Nichols, but we lost him at an early age and 1 remember him only from pictures and what I have heard. He, too, was a servant of God.
Grandmother Nichols was a working, tireless, loving person....a mother who raised a large family in less convenient days. Her descendants are many, her Christian message spread far. And, though, she found complete physical peace 9 June 1973, she found that inner peace, that secret of life long ago-peace with God and the happiness that came to her by putting herself aside and thinking of others.
--By Ruth Nichols Wilbanks & Yvonne Vestal