Miriam Nichols
September 22, 2012
Miriam Elizabeth Nichols, 87, passed into the arms of God on Saturday, September 22, 2012 at Prime Towers Nursing and Rehab in Des Moines, Iowa, after a brief unexpected illness.
Miriam was born on June 30, 1925 in Beaumont, Mississippi to Lilly Viola (Johnson) and Professor Isaac Thomas. She was baptized as a child at Sweet Home Baptist Church in Beaumont, Mississippi. She attended Beaumont Elementary School and Oak Park High School in Laurel, Mississippi as a child, and then graduated from Eureka High School in Hattiesburg, Mississippi in 1942. Miriam completed four years of formal education at Tougaloo College in Tougaloo, Mississippi, graduating with a Home Economics major in 1946. Miriam moved to Des Moines, Iowa in 1949 and attended Graduate School at Iowa State University. Miriam was employed with the Food Service and Dietary Department at Mercy Hospital for 38 years until her retirement in 1993. She was a member of Corinthian Baptist Church in Des Moines, and often served as an usher. She served in the Busy Bee Mission and was a member of the Prime Timers. Miriam was affiliated with the Heroines of Jericho, Daughters of Isis, and the Order of the Eastern Star.
Left to cherish Miriam’s memory are her son, Fredrick L. (Lou) Nichols and granddaughter, Victoria Chanel Nichols, all of Fullerton, California; brother, Isaac L. (Mattie) Thomas and nephew, Larry Eugene (Pam) Thomas, all of Laurel, Mississippi; nephew, Larry (Gertha) Holden of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; niece, Janice (Felix) Woodard Harvey of Pearland, Texas; cousins, Matilda Adams of McLain, Mississippi, Betty Grover of Chicago, Illinois, Kay Hickman of San Jose, California, and Mae Hickman and Fay Hickman Mason of Des Moines, Iowa; extended family, James S. (Norma) Smith; special friend, Theresa Caon; and numerous other relatives and special friends. Preceding her in death are her father, Professor Isaac Thomas; mother, Lilly Viola Johnson Thomas; brother, Andrew Ulysees Thomas; sister, Marie Thomas Woodard; and brother-in-law, James Howard Woodard.
Miriam will be celebrated at two funeral services:
1st – Visitation from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, September 30, 2012 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon St, Des Moines, Iowa with Funeral Service to follow at 3 p.m.
2nd – Visitation and Devotion from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, October 6, 2012 at Chapel of Angels Funeral Home, 832 Martin Luther King Avenue, Laurel, Mississippi. Immediately following Devotion, Miriam will be escorted to her final resting place at McLain Community Cemetery in McLain, Mississippi.
In loving memory of Miriam, memorial contributions may be directed to her son, Fredrick L. Nichols in care of Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Angie Perry
09/30/2012
My sincere condolences to the family during this time of sorrow. May the God of all comfort soothe your hearts with his promise of a future resurrection. Jesus said, "Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out!" Until this promise is fulfilled may you draw close to God for he cares for you.--John 5:28, 29
Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church
09/29/2012
"Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted" Matthew 5:4
To the family of Miriam Nichols, the pastor, associate ministers, and the entire church family express to you our deepest sympathy in the passing of your loved. Jesus hears the prayers of your heart just as clearly as He hears the prayers others are lifting up for you. So for as long as you grieve, may it be a comfort to remember, the more you need Him, the closer He will be to you.
Humbly submitted,
Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church Family
Rev. Alex Crawford, Jr.-Pastor
Arbeth Hammick and Doris L. Wade
09/28/2012
To the famiily of Miriam Nichols,
"Trusting that the GOD of all comfort and hope will be the answer to your every present need."
....he will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5
Denothria Dunn
09/24/2012
It can be so hard to face the first year without your loved one, but the love of family and friends can carry you through.