Mrs. Dorothy Jean Nichols

Dorothy Jean Nichols, 85, of Baytown, formerly of Henderson, departed her earthly home on April 30, 2017, at The Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center at Baytown surrounded by her loving family, and passed to her eternal home with Jesus, family, and friends. She was a loving and compassionate daughter, sister, wife, aunt, mother, and grandmother. Dorothy was born October 19, 1931, in Posey, TX to the late Floyd and Lucile Vandergriff and devoted her life to Jesus Christ at the age of 9. She graduated from Grand Saline High School in 1949 where she loved band, played the drums and led the marching band as Drum Major. Dorothy married Kenneth W. Nichols, her sweetheart since she was 14 years old, on Thanksgiving evening November 23, 1949, at her home in Grand Saline. She enrolled in nursing school but didn’t attend when she discovered that she was pregnant with her firstborn child. Family and the home were so very important to Dorothy, and she was a loving, full-time mother of 4. She lived a life of love, devotion and tireless service to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, adoring husband, children, extended family, church family and friends. She was a people person, an excellent homemaker and gracious hostess, whose home was always open and welcoming for frequent functions and overnight guests in her home and the games of 42 and other domino games with friends. She loved autumn and rainy days, no doubt good days for cooking or sewing and crafting. Christmas was another favorite time of year, and her love of music was very visible. Dorothy was the devoted wife and partner of a Baptist Pastor. They ministered at several churches including Hebron Baptist Church in Tyler (1964-1968), Crim’s Chapel Baptist Church in Henderson (1968-1970), Clawson Baptist Church in Lufkin (1970-1973), First Baptist Church in Tatum (1973-1995), and First Baptist Church in Turnertown (2002-2006). Kenneth and Dorothy served an interim pastorate in Turnertown from 2001 until Kenneth was named pastor in 2002. There were multiple interim pastorates after their retirement which included Pine Hill Baptist Church in Henderson (1996-1997), First Baptist Church in Timpson (1997), and Eastside Baptist Church in Henderson (1999-2000). Dorothy served as director of children’s choirs in multiple churches and sang in the adult choir of every church in which she was a member. She encouraged a love of music in all her children and ensured that they all could sing, play the piano and other musical instruments of their choice. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by: older brothers, Burt, Murel, and Lawrence Vandergriff; all other close relatives of her generation; and nephew, Larry Vandergriff. Survivors include: adoring husband of 67 and a half years, Kenneth W. Nichols of Baytown; children, Randy Nichols and wife Patrice of Lufkin, Debbie (Nichols) Holden and husband Lee of Baytown, Marylinda (Nichols) Tunnell and husband Keith of Spring Branch, and Gary Nichols of Amarillo; grandchildren, Christopher Nichols and wife Amber of New Baltimore, MI, Patrick Nichols and wife Audrey of Lufkin, Shaun Holden and wife Nicole of Baltimore, MD, Kayce (Holden) Jenkins and husband Stephen of Baytown, Alison (Tunnell) Diven and husband Justice of Farmington, NM, and Austin Tunnell and wife Sarah of Eufaula, OK; and great-grandchildren, Kiley and Jason Nichols of New Baltimore, MI, Isaac Bentley and Samuel and Avery Nichols of Lufkin, Ciana, Loralai, Izaac, and Xander Holden of Baltimore, MD, Noah and Layla Jenkins of Baytown, and Arthur Diven and Iris Diven of Farmington, NM. A Celebration of Dorothy’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 6, 2017, in the chapel at Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home with Rev. Charles Hunt officiating under the direction of Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until service time on Saturday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to contribute to the American Alzheimer’s Association at 225 N. Michigan Ave, FL 17, Chicago, IL 60601, your local church, or the Christian organization of your choice. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.crawfordacrim.com.

Mrs. Dorothy Jean Nichols

October 19, 1931 - April 30, 2017