Celestine Janice "Tina" Nichols

Celestine "Tina" Humphrey Nichols was a natural-born leader.

She was born on July 18, 1963, in Lexington Park, Maryland. Her family history in St. Mary's County, Maryland, dates back to the 17th century.

She grew up in a loving military family that included her parents, George and Mamie Humphrey, and four brothers, Marvin Lawrence Humphrey, Jeffrey George Humphrey, David Manuel Humphrey, and Edward "Bunky" Christopher Humphrey, and two sisters, Alice Humphrey Crowder and Laura Darlene Humphrey Hill.

Celestine was educated in St. Mary's County, Maryland, and Norfolk public schools, where she excelled as a student and developed leadership skills. While a student at Lake Taylor, she was a varsity cheerleader and senior class vice president, and a member of the Student Government Association.

On October 3, 1987, she married David Cleamer Nichols of Jackson, Mississippi. Their marriage was blessed with two sons, David Cleamer Nichols, Jr. and Thomas George Nichols.

After graduating from Lake Taylor High School, Tina studied Fashion Merchandising at Kees Business College. Upon completion, she successfully embarked on 40 years of retail management, beginning as a Department Manager at Thalhimers. Then, as a District Manager for the Deb Stores where her territory included parts of North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland. In 2007, she was hired as a Manager at the Navy Exchange at the Norfolk Naval Base. In 2017, Tina was assigned to the Navy Exchange in Bahrain for six years. While there, she traveled throughout the Middle East and Africa, visiting Dubai and the Egyptian pyramids.

She returned to Norfolk in 2023 and was assigned as a Manager at the Navy Exchange at Little Creek Amphibious Base in Virginia Beach.

Tina was a faithful member of Living Sacrifice Ministries in Norfolk, VA, led by the late Pastor Jackie Murphy. She served as a minister and financial manager.

She was preceded in death by her loving parents, George and Mamie Humphrey; her brothers Marvin Lawrence Humphrey, Jeffrey George Humphrey, and Edward Christopher Humphrey; and her brother-in-law, Bradford Warren Hill.

Cherishing her memory are her sons, David Cleamer Nichols, Jr. and Thomas George Nichols of Norfolk; siblings, Alice Humphrey Crowder (Lester) of Camden, South Carolina, David Humphrey (Nadine) of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Laura Darlene Humphrey Hill of Williamsburg, Virginia; sisters-in-law, Joyce Anne Humphrey of Darlington, South Carolina; Amelia Humphrey of Virginia Beach, Virginia; 14 nephews and nieces, Addison Daniel, Ali El, Jamar Humphrey, Jeremiah Humphrey, Sentara Porter, Nathaniel Humphrey, Briana Nixon (John), LarBrina Humphrey, Ensign Josiah Hill (Megan), Chanel Hill, Derek and Derrell Speight, Lashonda Humphrey, and Alisha Humphrey; along with a host of cousins, great nephews and nieces, and friends. The family gives special acknowledgement to cousins, Joseph "Bear" Taylor, Denise Keokuk, and family friend Dedra Mitchell Fulford.

Celestine Humphrey Nichols entered her eternal rest on November 5, 2025, in Norfolk, Virginia.