George Warren "Preacher" Nichols

Rev. George Warren "Preacher" Nichols, 87, of Blytheville, passed away early Saturday morning at Great River Medical Center. He was born Nov. 28, 1926 in Black Rock, Ark.

Mr. Nichols was working for the railroad in the early 1950s in Lula, Miss., where he attended a little Baptist church. He heard evangelist Barney Walker preach and Mr. Nichols surrendered his life to the ministry on June 20, 1951. Not long after that he quit his job and went to college, although he didn't know how he would pay for it. "I just stepped out on faith, " Nichols said.

After attending three colleges over seven years, Nichols graduated in 1958 with a bachelor's degree in Theology. College took seven years because he would work to raise enough money to go for a semester or two, then quit work and go to school. When money ran out, he quit school to return to work. He also preached all he could during those days.

Nichols was officially ordained as a Baptist minister Sept. 4, 1954, at Franklin Road Baptist Church in Memphis. One of his first missions was to work in Chicago's west side. After ministering there for two years he moved to Decatur, Ill., to work at the North Terrace Baptist Mission.

He married his wife Shirley Sept. 20, 1959. They returned to Memphis in 1960 where Nichols was a supply minister for a few years. He also worked as a youth minister during that time. The Nichols moved to Blytheville in 1963 and served as the pastor of the West Ridge Baptist Church for a while. He also filled in as pastor at Rosa Baptist and a short time later was called to be the pastor at Rosa Baptist and he was there until his retirement in April 2013. He served as pastor there for 50 years and 9 months.

He was quoted as saying "The best part of being a preacher is seeing souls saved." He said he can't really say that there have been any drawbacks." He said, "I have been blessed above and beyond what a person could dream, ask or think."

He had worked at Jerry Groves Plaza Drugs for approximately 23 years. In earlier years he enjoyed donating his time playing Santa Clause at Jerry Groves Plaza Drugs, Super D, and also at Bonanza. But his family says his most favorite pastime was reading the Bible. He read his Bible faithfully.

After his retirement from pharmacy work, he remained active at Heritage Square Nursing Center, where his wife has resided for several years. He led Bible study for the residents and also did volunteer work. He was chosen as Heritage Square's Volunteer of the Year in 2009.

He enjoyed sports, especially baseball and basketball. He loved spending time with his family and friends. He loved to eat! His wife said he never had a preferential palate ... he had an iron stomach and would eat anything.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Mary King; and siblings.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Shirley Carmon Nichols of Blytheville;

His daughter, Cindy Nichols Enos of Blytheville;

His grandchildren, William Chase Norris of Newport Richey Fla., Matthew Nicholas Enos and Jacob Alexander Enos of Blytheville;

Lots of nieces, nephews; and

He had a lot of special friends, but he had two, Patsy Baldridge and Nick Patterson, who helped get him to doctor appointments, church, etc., when his daughter couldn't take him.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Carney Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Mike Welch and Dr. Tommy Carney officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday from noon until the service begins. Burial will be in Dogwood Cemetery. Condolences may be offered at www.carneyfuneralhome.com