Read Barden Nichols

Read Barden Nichols

Read Barden Nichols died peacefully on March 11, 2026, in Savannah, Georgia. He was born October 6, 1955, in Bethesda, Maryland.

He was preceded in death by his father, Lloyd Barden Nichols, and his mother, Elizabeth Hunter Nichols.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Sue A. Nichols; his brother, Mark (Tae) Nichols; his children, Kristina Fletcher (Matt) and Read J. Nichols (Jessica); and his grandchildren, James Fletcher, Read Nichols Jr., Katherine Fletcher, and Scarlett Nichols. He is also survived by his beloved puppies, Beebee and Val, along with many close loving friends and family.

Read proudly served in the United States Navy as a Seabee. He later worked as a maintenance worker on Hunter Army Airfield before becoming a master carpenter for more than 45 years. He was also a business owner and beekeeper through his honey business, Readees Bees.

He was a member of Perdido Bay United Methodist Church in Pensacola, Florida, and First Baptist Church of the Islands. Read also served for many years as a board member of the Seaglade Owners Association, where he was affectionately known by many as the "Mayor of Seaglades."

Read loved the water and enjoyed sailing catamarans, fishing, shrimping, and crabbing. He also found great joy working in his garden, canning his harvests, and beginning each morning with coffee and prayer with his loving wife.

A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 16, 2026, at the Fox & Weeks Islands Chapel. A celebration of life will follow the visitation immediately.

A later celebration of life will be held in Pensacola at Seaglade Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Sue A. Nichols or Read J. Nichols.