Mailon "Nick" Deforrest Nichols

Mailon “Nick” Deforrest Nichols, age 84, of Taylorsville went home on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at his residence. He was born on July 10, 1934 in Wilkes County, the son of the late Winfiel and Annie Dancy Nichols. Nick was a graduate of Millers Creek High School in Wilkes. After graduation he joined the US Air Force. When he returned home, Nick started work with Lowe’s Companies for twenty years. Then became the owner of Bethlehem Hardware for several years. He loved hunting and traveling. Nick was an antique car buff, restoring several cars and was a member of Foothills Antique car club for many years. He was a past member of Sandy Ridge Baptist Church for 34 years where he served as deacon, chairman of deacons, chairman of the building committee, Sunday school superintendent & teacher, church training director, church trustee, and choir member for 30 years. Then later became a member of Antioch Baptist Church where he served as deacon, Sunday school teacher, and finance committee.He had close ties to Gardner-Webb University serving four terms as trustee. Nick loved his family and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandson. Along with his parents he was preceded in death by his son Kenneth Forrest Nichols; sisters Reba Pierce, Eva Marie Whittington, & Mary Bell Church; and brother Rayburn “Bud” Nichols.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving and caring wife of 64 years Ella Mae Rhodes Nichols of the home; daughter Vickie Nichols Livingston (Ron) of Hickory; granddaughter Phoebe Livingston of Columbia, SC; grandson Elijah Cole Nichols (Kayla) of Hickory; great-grandson Rylan Elisha Nichols of Hickory; brothers Bobby Nichols (Brenda) and Claude Nichols of Wilkesboro; brother-in-law John Robert Pierce of Traphill; along with many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Friday, November 9, 2018 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Antioch Baptist Church. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at 11:00 am at Antioch Baptist Church with the Rev. Mark Morris, Eric Lane, David Webb, Homer Greene, and Elijah Nichols officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Full military rites will be provided by the DAV Ch. 84 of Taylorsville and Ch. 6 of Hudson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Antioch Baptist Church at 580 Antioch Church Rd; Taylorsville, NC 28681 or to the NC Baptist Men at 205 Convention Drive; Cary, NC 27511.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Alexander Funeral and Cremation Service. Condolences may be sent to www.alexfuneralservice.com