Carolyn Hurt Nichols

Carolyn Hurt Nichols, 75, of Milton, Florida, began "resting in the bosom of Jesus" on the morning of January 22, 2026.

Born Nancy Carolyn Hurt on October 29, 1950, in Tupelo, Mississippi, she was the daughter of the late Paul and Yvonne Hurt. She was known throughout her life by her middle name, Carolyn. After graduating from Tupelo High School, Carolyn attended Mississippi State College for Women, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Journalism.

Carolyn married Gary Nichols on July 12, 1975, in Magee, Mississippi. One month later, they began a shared ministerial journey at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, where in 1977 they both earned a Master of Religious Education degree.

Carolyn was an exceptionally talented musician. Beginning in middle school, she played piano for school productions of Broadway musicals. Throughout her life, she served as pianist and organist for the churches she and Gary attended. For more than 25 years, she was the pianist at Fruit Cove Baptist Church in St. Johns, Florida, and also played for musical productions at Nease High School in St. Augustine, Florida. More recently, she served as church organist at First Baptist Church, Milton, Florida.

Professionally, Carolyn worked as a writer for an accounting firm in Jackson, Mississippi, and later as editor of The Magee Courier in Magee, Mississippi, where she and Gary met. While in seminary, she worked in the public relations department. After moving to Jacksonville, Florida, she wrote for Baptist Press, The Florida Baptist Witness, and served as a curriculum writer for The Baptist Sunday School Board/LifeWay Christian Resources.

Carolyn faithfully served others through teaching Sunday School at First Baptist Church and volunteering in the church's Food Pantry. She also served as a Guardian ad Litem, advocating for children in the court system who needed a voice.

Carolyn is survived by Gary Nichols, her beloved husband of 50 years. Together they raised two daughters: Molly Holton, of Roswell, Georgia, and Beth McCaddy (Kevin), of Jacksonville, Florida. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Parker McCaddy, of Milton, Florida; Kendall McCaddy, of Jacksonville, Florida; and Frances Holton and Sylvie Holton, of Roswell, Georgia.

She is further survived by her sister, Molly Hurt Johnson (Rod) of Centennial, Colorado; her brother, Stanley Hurt (Connie) of Tupelo, Mississippi; her niece, Hannah Johnson Young (Aaron), and their son, Christian, of Castle Rock, Colorado; and her nephew, Nathan Johnson (Nicole) of Denver, Colorado. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Gwen Robertson (Rick) of Ridgeland, Mississippi; her niece, Denise Warnock (Chris), and grand-nephew Caleb, of Brandon, Mississippi; her nephew, Curtis Robertson; and her grand-niece and grand-nephew, Cora and Tucker, of Madison, Mississippi.

A memorial service will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday January 31, 2026, at First Baptist Church, Milton, Florida, with visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Donations may be made in Carolyn's memory to First Baptist Church Milton's Food Pantry

(www.FBCMilton.org)

or Red Mountain Grace, Birmingham, Alabama

(www.RedMountainGrace.org)

"Weep not-weep not,

She is not dead;

She's resting in the bosom of Jesus."

- From God's Trombones by James Weldon Johnson (© 1927)