Wanda Willene Nichols

  Wanda Willene Huddleston Nichols, born Sept. 21, 1919, passed from this earthly life into the loving arms of the Lord on Friday, Dec. 10, 2010, after a long but graceful battle with Alzheimer’s disease.  She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ralph St. George (“Rusty”) Nichols, her parents Ada and Howard Huddleston of Cookeville, Tennessee, and her twin brother Howard Eugene Huddleston and sister Jane Huddleston Stewart.

Mrs. Nichols was known as “Nenie” by her friends and church family. She is survived by three children, her son James Howard Nichols and his wife Morning Nichols, of Pacifica, California, and John Ralph Nichols of Alameda, California, and Karen L. Nichols, now a Bedford resident. She is also survived by grandchildren Renee E. Nichols and James Nichols and Scott Sorensen, of California, and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Kent and Rosalie Nichols of Bedford, and many nieces and nephews and great nieces from the Huddleston/Stewart family, mostly in the Cookeville, Tennessee area, and the Nichols family, mostly in the Richmond area.
Nenie was an accomplished pianist and church organist, and began her career working as a copywriter and musician for radio stations in Tennessee and Richmond. She met her husband, whom she called “Rossie” in Richmond and loved to tell the story of how she was playing a jazz record while cooking dinner, and when he walked through the door he ran straight for the victrola and kept picking the needle up and putting it back on the LP to hear the song again. They shared their love and their music for over 50 years of marriage, and all three children grew up with the musical legacy of the Big Band era and two gifted musicians for parents, and went on to have their own successes in music.
Nenie worked for St. John’s Episcopal Church in Bedford for many years as organist and choir director, worked for the Chamber of Commerce, Carder Tharp Funeral home as organist, and finally Scott and Bond Insurance where she cared deeply for the staff. Nenie had an indomitable spirit that helped her cope with the illness of Alzheimer’s. She continued to play songs from the 40’s and beloved hymns for the duration of her illness. Nenie was a strikingly beautiful, bright light who loved to laugh and hug her friends, and was famous for dressing up no matter what occasion. She read aloud, keeping her verbal ability strong, to the end, and enjoyed the company of the dog and cats who shared her home with her. Her daughter Karen cared for her for most of the eight years she has been back, but she had one long stay at Campbell Rest Home, and more recently she has remained in the care and company of the staff and patients at Campbell, who have given her the utmost in loving care.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Brian Buchanan for his tireless devotion to Mrs. Nichols’ care over the years, Helen Burks and her staff, the Reverend Tom Mustard of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Pam Willoughby, Pastor Mike Jones of Sedalia Baptist Church, Dr. Linda Beahm and Bedford Hospice, and the countless friends and church members who supported her. Gratitude goes to her caregivers through the years - Kristina Marcus cared for Mrs. Nichols for the longest term, and Tracey Carson helped both Mrs. Nichols and Karen for years. The family also wishes to thank Kim Pringle, who more recently took care of Mrs. Nichols last year, neighbor Jane Miller, and Phronia Massie who was supportive.
A funeral service to celebrate her life was conducted on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Bedford with the Rev. F. Wilson Brown and Pastor Mike Jones officiating. A reception was held at the church after a private interment. Memorial contributions may be sent to St. John’s Episcopal Church, 314 N. Bridge Street, Bedford, VA 24523.
Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford, is assisting the family, (540) 586-3443. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tharpfuneralhome.com.