Darleen Russell Nichols

Darleen Nichols passed into the arms of our Lord on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on August 13, 1940 in Richmond, VA to Edna Gatliff Sutton and Ralph L. Duling. After her mom remarried, she was legally adopted by her stepfather, Wilson L. Faris, Sr.

In high school, Darleen was known as a theater and arts enthusiast. She married the love of her life, Jackie Lee Nichols (dec), on January 16, 1959 in Alexandria, VA. The majority of her career was spent as an administrator with Fairfax County Public Schools until her retirement to Warsaw, VA in 2005. Darleen was an active member of the Warsaw community, engaged with their Main Street revitalization program and as a journalist for local newspapers which included the Northern Neck News, Northern Neck Free Press, and Chesapeake Style.

She and Jack loved to travel in their camper together. Darleen was widely known for her enthusiasm for life and her fun sense of humor! She had a rebellious streak, but she was very generous and willing to help anyone in need. She was an amazing cook and carried on many of her family's heirloom recipes like corn pudding, pecan pie, and black walnut rum cake. The holidays will never be the same without her. She was beloved by many friends in the community, in her church, and by her family.

Although she had no children of her own, she is survived by her deceased brother's (Wilson L. Faris, Jr.) five adult children: Andrea, Kathleen, Diana, Victoria, and Trey; and seven grandchildren: Reece, Owen, Ian, Kyle, Charlie, Elliott, and Maggie; dozens of nieces and nephews on her husband's side; and her sisters in law, Julie Faris of Maryland and Shelby Nichols of North Carolina.

Aunt Darlie, you will be very missed! I hope Heaven is oceanfront, just like you always loved so much. See you on the other side!

A memorial service will be held in honor of Darleen on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Welch Funeral Home - Marks Chapel in Warsaw. In lieu of flowers, Darleen asked that donations be made to A Mother's Rest Charitable Respite Foundation (www.amothersrest.org) or the Holy Trinity Anglican Orthodox Church in Inwood, WV.