James S. Nichols

James Smallwood Nichols died on Monday, September 29, 2025. He was 90 years old. Born on October 19, 1934 in Clarksville, Maryland, he was the son of the late Samuel Turner Nichols, Sr. and Mary Loudell Smallwood Nichols. Jimmy or Jim (as he was known to many friends) was a farmer and co-owner of Fenton Farms in Highland, MD with his late brother Turner Nichols. Together they also owned school buses for several years. Jim graduated from Clarksville High School in 1952 where he met his sweetheart and future wife Gloria “Dale” (Sisson) Nichols. They were married for 66 years before her death in 2021. He, along with Dale, were members of Linden Linthicum United Methodist Church for over 60 years. He served on the Linthicum Cemetery Committee for several years. For over 40 years, he was a member of the Howard County Farm Bureau. He also served as an Agricultural Stabilization Conservation Service board member of the Department of Agriculture for 25 years. He worked hard throughout the years to maintain a viable agricultural lifestyle in Howard County. He enjoyed hunting, reading, watching baseball and spending time with his family. He is survived by his daughter Robin Nichols Cooney and her husband Michael of Mt. Airy, MD, his daughter Beth Ann Gunter and fiancée, Steven Patrick of Ellicott City, MD, and son, James Mark Nichols of Mt. Airy, MD. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jessica Ebersole and husband Mike, Sara Nichols and Thomas Nichols. Interment of ashes will be held privately at St. Mark’s Cemetery, Highland, MD.

Online condolences at www.Burrier-Queen.com.