Jimmie J. Nichols

Jimmie J. Nichols Jimmie J. Nichols of Apalachicola, FL died on Tuesday, August 18, 2009, at the Chester Sims VA Nursing Home in Panama City, FL. A native of his hometown, he was preceeded in death by his parents, Garouphalia and John Nichols and older brother, Nick. Jimmie loved his hometown with a passion. Whenever his friends or customers needed any kind of help, he was always there. He enjoyed working at the family business, the Economy Cash Store, along with his parents. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Florida for one and a half years only to return home to help his aging parents at their business. In 1942 he joined the Air Force. After training, he was sent to Europe and Africa. Sergeant Nichols entered his journalistic writing for the well-known "Stars and Stripes" newspaper. Upon returning home three years later, he and brother Nick operated the business. In 1948 he married Olga Costarides from Montgomery, Alabama. After graduation from high school, she attended Huntington College there for one year and took several courses through Huntington while working as a stenographer at Maxwell Air Force Base. In 1959 the couple traveled in Greece while adoption papers were being processed for their three month old daughter and five month old son. Their happiness outweighed the crises endured on the ship on their way home with the two infants. Jimmie and Olga were members of the Greek Orthodox Church in Tallahassee and attended Trinity Episcopal Church locally. Both took part in Trinity's services and organizations. Jimmie was one of the icons in Apalachicola. He started the Men's Lay Breakfasts and suggested having Turkey Dinners in the fall as a money making project, while serving on the vestery. Always referred to as the city's historian, he undertook the task of assembling all information from the State Archives and Trinity's records and wrote the church's history. This was from 1836 to 1936 and was published and sold while the remainder was given to the church. Always interested in local politics, Jimmie served several years as city commissioner. Later he ran and won the mayorship for 16 years. During his tenure, two separate housing complexes were built, the Raney House was renovated and put on the National List of Historic Places, among other projects. During this time he sought on many trips to bring industries to his hometown to fill the need for many looking for work. He was an avid reader and enjoyed writing. He began writing a weekly column in the weekly newspaper, the Apalachicola Times, as "Apalachicola Diary". He brought to light many aspects of Apalachicola from the years of his boyhood until his retirement. His readers urged him to publish a book with the articles, but he never did. His family has kept them. Jimmie leaves behind his beloved wife of 60 years, Olga; son, John of Apalachicola; daughter, Cathy (Rick) Williams of Tallahassee; three grandsons: Matthew Williams, Andrew Williams, Nicholas Williams, all of Tallahassee; brother, Dr. Photis J. Nichols (Frosso) of Jacksonville, FL; nephews, nieces, and cousins. The family will receive friends on Sunday evening, August 23 from 4 to 6 p.m. EDT at Trinity Episcopal Church and Trisagion Services will follow at 6 p.m. EDT. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 24, at 11 a.m. EDT at Trinity Episcopal Church. Father Robert O'Loughlin of the Greek Orthodox Church of Tallahassee will be officiating the services at Trinity on 23 and 24 of August 2009. Rev. Martha Harris will be present also. In lieu of flowers the family prefers that memorial contributions be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, 6th Street, Apalachicola, FL 32329; or Greek Orthodox Church, 1645 Phillips Rd. Tallahassee, FL 32308. Southerland Family Funeral Homes (850-229- 8111) is handling arrangements.