Amma B. Nichols

Amma Barnbrook Nichols, aged 103, passed away peacefully at home on her favorite couch on November 15, 2025. She was only eight days shy of her 104th birthday. She was under the loving care of her family, friends, and Methodist Hospital Alliance Hospice.

The family will hold a private service at the graveside to honor Amma's memory.

Amma was born November 23,1921 in Cairo, Illinois into a family of five girls to her late parents John and Neva Barnbrook. The family struggled through the Great Depression, living and working on small farms and odd jobs in and around that area and most often near Diehlstadt and Charleston, Missouri. Even as a child growing up, she was skilled with a slingshot and helped put food on the table. Amma graduated in 1940 as valedictorian of her Diehlstadt High School Class and received a twenty-five dollar scholarship in recognition. There she also met the love of her life, classmate, and later husband of forty-four years, Joe Nichols.

The spirited country girl boarded a bus to the big city of Paducah, Kentucky where she attended business school and worked part-time for room-and-board as a home attendant and babysitter. She completed her studies, passed her civil-service exam, and immediately upon the start of WWII reported to a War Department facility in Cincinnati, Ohio. Future husband Joe left for Army combat service in the South Pacific at that time. In April,1942 she transferred as an executive secretary and later office manager to a Memphis, TN munitions manufacturing plant and remained a Memphis resident for life.

Amma and Joe married in 1946 shortly after his return from the war. They made a life together in Memphis, raising two sons, Joe Jr. and Donald Ray Nichols. Amma worked at the former Kennedy VA Hospital and later at the Armed Forces Induction Center and Methodist Hospital as a records specialist. The family loved all things nature, traveling and especially camping, hiking and exploring their favorite spots in Fall Creek Falls State Park. Amma loved playing the piano and organ at home having first learned violin in high school. She instilled in both her sons a great love of music. For the past 71 years every stray pet in her neighborhood knew where to find food and water at her back door.

Amma faithfully served memberships at Colonial Baptist and Audubon Park Baptist churches. She applied her faith with quiet dignity through the love of her family, friends, service to country and community, and unshakeable confidence in the ultimate triumph of God's love.

She is survived by her son Donald Ray Nichols (Teresa); and Granddaughters Audrey Nichols Ragsdale (Justin); Katherine Nichols Borysiak (Mark); and younger sister – another centenarian - Blanche Greer of Flint, MI.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Neva Barnbrook; her husband, Joe R. Nichols, Sr.; her son Joe Nichols, Jr.; and three sisters, Marie Davis; Daisy Strong; and Nettie Sanders.

In lieu of flowers, Amma asked that donations be made to the Disabled American Veterans online at DAV.ORG. This cause was dear to her heart. May God richly bless you all.

Amma's favorite scripture from Psalms 139:23-24

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts; And see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting."

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