Phil Nichols

1950 - 2024

Phil Nichols

October 4, 2024

Phil Nichols, age 73, of the Halls community in Knoxville, Tennessee passed away peacefully on October 4, 2024 at Sacred Grounds Hospice House in the presence of his loving wife of 56 years, Rheba, and family. He was very active and working full time until only 5 weeks ago when he developed acute myeloid leukemia.

Phil was born October 9, 1950, in Valley, Alabama the third of four children to Doug and Danueline McCollough Nichols. He always spoke fondly of growing up in Shawmut, a small mill town, where he could walk with his brothers and sister to the pool, gym and ball fields. His childhood was full of sports, boating on nearby Lake Harding at the family lake camp, and the love of his extended family including grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. He excelled at swimming, baseball, basketball and football. He attended Lanett High School, graduating in 1969. His 6 foot 4 inch frame, soft hands, and competitive drive helped him become an Alabama high school standout athlete as both a basketball center and football tight end/defensive end for the Lanett Panthers. He married his high school sweetheart, Rheba Holmes Nichols, September 2, 1968. He was recruited by several large university football programs and accepted a full scholarship to Auburn University. After a successful freshman season, he became hampered by injuries requiring surgery and changed his focus to completing his degree in Kinesiology in 1972.

Following graduation, Phil had a short career as athletic director with the Tuscaloosa County Parks and Recreation department. In 1975, he moved his family of four to Gainesville, Florida where he followed in his father's footsteps and became an insurance agent. He joined his brother, Doug, as a sales agent with Liberty National Life Insurance. They were mentored by their professional father figure, Lavern Outlaw. Within two years, Phil's superb talent as an insurance agent became apparent as he rose to the top of the company. He continued with Liberty National for 5 years. In 1980, he and his brother accepted State Farm Insurance agencies in East Tennessee. Phil and Rheba worked diligently to build what would become one of the most successful agencies in the history of State Farm Insurance. Along with his dedicated team, his agency was among the all-time winners of the prestigious Presidents Club and Trophy winner. He particularly excelled at providing life insurance for families and grew the largest book for this protection in the over 100-year history of the company. Among his greatest professional joys was assisting a family in need when the unexpected and unimaginable shook their world. In 2017, Phil was thrilled when he and his son Ryan combined their teams at the office on Maynardville Highway. Phil greatly appreciated the hard work and dedication of his agency team members over the years, particularly Greta Wattenbarger for her 36 years of service.

Phil professed faith in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He raised his children in the Christian faith at Beaver Dam Baptist Church and most recently was a member at Wallace Memorial Baptist Church. In these last few weeks, the family has shared special moments together in prayer and discussion of eternal hope in Jesus alone. Phil extended wisdom, encouragement and continued to say that he loved each one of them "with all his heart." During his life, there was not a word spoken or a deed fulfilled by Phil that was without all of his heart. His larger-than-life personality and love for others was evident in the way he invested in the lives of those around him, whether it be a family member, his staff, a client or the waiter at a restaurant. Indeed, his passion for people along with his zest for life will be deeply missed.

Phil found great joy in his marriage and family. He was an energetic and involved young father, spending weekends playing ball and working in the yard with his family. He instilled a work hard /play hard ethic in his children. His love for plants and yard work were second only to watching his children and grandchildren compete in sports. He and Rheba were blessed to participate in raising their ten grandchildren in Knoxville. They loved to travel together with the extended State Farm family and spend weekends on their dock on Lake Tellico where he would cheer on his Auburn Tigers or the Atlanta Braves.

Phil was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Joseph Michael Nichols. He is survived by his wife, Rheba; son, Lynn Nichols and his wife, Dawn; son, Ryan Nichols and his wife, Devon; daughter, Brooke and her husband, Matthew Cunningham; his 10 grandchildren, Phillip (Emme) Nichols, Claire (Bradley) Northcutt, Anna Nichols, Andrew Nichols, Camryn Nichols, Rhett Nichols, Colt Nichols, Leighton Cunningham, Bryant Cunningham and Grayton Cunningham; his great-grandchild, Micah Anne Nichols; brother, Doug Nichols and his wife, Rita; sister, Susan Lee and her husband, Bobby; sister-in-law, Jane Patterson; and brother-in-law, Jimmy Holmes.

The family extends a special thanks to their friends and pastors who have supported Phil and the entire family during this time. They would also like to thank the caregivers, nurses and doctors at Parkwest Hospital, 5 West and the 12th floor of The University of Tennessee Hospital, and the staff of Sacred Grounds Hospice House.

Funeral services will be held at Wallace Memorial Baptist Church on Friday, October 11, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. The family will receive visitors immediately before the service beginning at 4:00 p.m. Flowers may be arranged through Hall's Flower Shop. Alternatively, donations can be made in Phil's honor to Hurricane Helene Relief through redcross.org or to the Wallace Memorial Baptist Church building fund. Online condolences may be expressed at www.mynattfh.com.