Carmen M. Nichols
June 10, 1922 ~ August 24, 2011
Resided in:
Candler, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Carmen M. Nichols, 89, of Candler, died August 24, 2011, at John F. Keever Jr. Solace Center following a courageous fight against cancer and its complications.
A native of Blairsville, Ga., she was born on June 10, 1922, to the late Robert (Verlin) and Pearl Martin. She attended Young Harris College, where she met her future husband, Ruel, whom she married in 1942. They moved to Candler in 1946, and she devoted her time to caring for the family they began there. Widowed since 2006, Carmen is also preceded in death by her brother, Robert (Bob) Martin.
She and Ruel joined Edgewood Baptist Church in 1946, and were faithful members and devoted Christians. She enjoyed attending services, and did so up until just a few weeks prior to her death. She was bookkeeper/treasurer at Edgewood for several years.
She is survived by her children Michael (Mike) Nichols of Sylva, Gerald (Jerry) Nichols of Candler, and Judith (Judi) King (husband Jerry) of Leicester; grandchildren Nathan Hooper and Jesse Hooper, and four great-grandchildren: Alexis, Taylor, Stephanie, and Morgan, whom she doted on. Also surviving are her sister, Helen Dorfner, of DeBary, FL, two nephews (Keith and Gary) and one niece (Donna) and their families, and sister-in-law Keniethea Martin.
Carmen enjoyed sewing, ceramics, and traveling with her husband and family. She and Ruel visited every state in the continental U.S. and also Hawaii, and they had traveled abroad three times. Her collection of photos is a tribute to her travels.
The funeral service will be held Saturday, August 27, at 2:30 p.m. at Edgewood Baptist Church, with the Rev. Charles Shelton and Rev. Louis Gibson officiating.
Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Candler.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday prior to the church service.
The family requests that memorials be made to Edgewood Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, PO Box 2260, Candler, NC 28715, or to The American Cancer Society, 120 Executive Park, Building #1, Asheville, NC 28801.
The family wishes to express thanks to friends and relatives for the cards, flowers, visits, and prayers throughout this time of passage, and to the medical staff and volunteers of the Asheville Oncology, Mission and St. Joseph's Hospitals, Pisgah Nursing Home, and John F. Keever Solace Center for their care and compassion.
Dear Mike, Jerry and Judy,
I’m very sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. I know she was very special to have raised you three wonderful souls. I’m sorry I won’t be able to attend the service, but please know that my heart is with you all.
Sincerely, Stephen Klein
Dear family, Everyone you talked to, everyone that new Carmen, had such wonderful, kind memories and thoughts of her. She was a special person and without a shadow of doubt in the Lord’s presence now. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. She will be deeply missed.
Dear Mike and family members,
Though I did not know your mother personally, it is obvious that she raised a family with love and devotion. I am sure that she felt blessed to have such a loving family surround her in her last days. We lift all of you up in our prayers. We are grateful for the service that Mike gives to the Lord through the music at Sylva First Baptist Church.
Dear Mike, Alex, Taylor and family,
What a precious legacy you have in Carmen and what a wonderful person she was. I know you take comfort in knowing that she is happily reunited with Ruel and other friends and family and most importantly she is whole and with her Lord and Savior! Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love in Christ,
Ava Morgan
Dear Family.
I am so sorry to hear this news, and want you to know that I am thinking of each of you and sharing your loss. We’ve all grown up and mostly moved away, but our mothers remained true friends throughout all these years, and that’s a testament to their characters. Carmen will be deeply missed.
Dear Mike, Jerry, and Judi,
Some of my fondest family memories are from visits with Ruel and Carmen. The feelings of joy, happiness, laughter and love suffuse my memories of our visits with your family. I still treasure the ceramic bowl that Carmen made for me as a wedding present and think of her every time I see the bowl.
Love,
Mike, Jerry and Judi: I am so very sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. She did fight a good fight. Although I only met her once, I remember her graciousness in welcoming me to her home. Again my condolences to you and the other family members.
judi, jerry, and family,
i’m sorry to hear of your mom’s passing.when we first moved to moody ave, her and ruel were so nice and helpful, they were the first neighbors we met. please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
lissa & family
Dear Family,
How I will miss your sweet mother and my dearest friend. We are so proud of your dedication to her as she fought the battle. Our loss is Heaven’s gain.
Love and prayers,
from Jean and Bruce
Good woman.