Matthew J. Nichols

MATTHEW JUNIOR NICHOLS, the devoted son of Clarence and Arnettie Nichols, was born on August 8, 1934, in Greenville, North Carolina. He departed this life on Sunday, February 5, 2006, after a lengthy illness. At an early age, Matthew accepted Christ, joined the Charity Baptist Church, and was baptized by Pastor James L. Wilkins. He sang on the Young People's Choir. Matthew was affectionately known by his friends as "Nick". He received his formal education at Paul Laurence Dunbar Senior High School, Baltimore, Maryland. Matthew entered the United States Navy, where he completed his basic training at the U.S. Naval Training Center located in Great Lakes, Illinois. He also served on the USS Coral Sea, an Aircraft carrier. He was assigned to naval bases in the states and toured throughout the world. After several years with the Navy Matthew was honorably discharged. During his enlisted time, while serving in Athens, Georgia, he met and married Helen Thomas. From this union, Clarence Kenneth Nichols was born. Returning to Baltimore, Matthew renewed his membership at the First Charity Baptist Church and served faithfully on the Senior Choir, Male Chorus and the Board of Trustees. Later, he married Delores Pettiford. They moved to Virginia for a short period and joined the First Baptist Church, Loretto. He was an active member and loved his pastor and church family. He returned home and continued his membership at the First Charity Baptist Church. Matthew was employed at the Head Ski Corporation, Montgomery Ward's and concluded his employment with retirement from the District of Columbia Federal Government Children Center, Laurel, Maryland. His family will always remember Matthew. He was a dutiful and devoted son, loving and caring brother, father and uncle. To his nieces and nephews he was "5-0" and to his granddaughters he was "Papa son". Therefore, he leaves to cherish his memory: his wife, Delores; sons, Donnell Thomas, Clarence Kenneth Nichols, and Earl and Andrew Mitchell; daughter, Tajuana Elam; son-in-law, Keith Elam; daughter-in-law, Stephanie Nichols; seven granddaughters, three grandsons, four great-grandchildren; a goddaughter, Tia Mildred Taylor; four sisters, Arnettie Crawley, Mary Atkins, Mildred Mayo, and Evelyn Harlee; three brothers-in-law, Coleman Atkins, James B. Mayo, Jr., and James Harlee; a sister-in-law, Creola Nichols; twenty-one nieces and nephews; two uncles, Elmer Nichols and Charles Mooring; three aunts, Amanda Tyson, Doris Mooring, and Dorothy Nichols; former wife, Helen Thomas Nichols; a buddy, James Turner; a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Matthew J. Nichols

August 8, 1934 - February 5, 2006