Person:Mary Elcan (2)

April 3, 1921 - Dec. 9, 2007

Funeral services for Mary Lightfoot Nichols, 86, of Norcross, Ga., formerly of Bainbridge, who died Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007, will be held at the graveside at 11 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 13, at the Elcan-Nichols lot in Oak City Cemetery with the Rev. Richard Hill officiating.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 12, at the home of Leslie Simmons, 221 Woodhull Road, Bainbridge.

Mrs. Nichols was born in Bainbridge, Ga., living here until 1988, and died Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007, at her residence.

Mrs. Nichols was the first state president of the National Beta Club of Georgia, an honor graduate of Agnes Scott College and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. During her years in Bainbridge, she was active in many phases of the civic, cultural and religious life of the community.

A member of Roswell Presbyterian Church, she was previously a member of First Presbyterian Church in Bainbridge and for many years was a teacher of the Ward Bible Class. She was a past president of the American Association of University Women and the Bainbridge Book Club. For many years, she worked as a trainer of leaders for the Girls Scouts of America. For 30 years, she was a member of the Board of the Southwest Georgia Regional Library, serving as treasurer, secretary and chairman of that board. She also served on the Board of the Bainbridge Junior College Foundation. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Jake W. Nichols, who practiced dentistry in Bainbridge for 41 years.

She is survived by her daughter, Lawre Nichols McDaniel of Norcross, Ga., her son, William Flynt Nichols II of Shalimar, Fla., three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Ivey Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

©The Post-Searchlight 2007