Marvin Lloyd Nichols

Marvin Lloyd Nichols departed this life, Saturday, September 26, 2020 at the John Cochran Veteran's Hospital, Saint Louis, Mo. Marvin, 79, was born in Little Rock, Ark, November 20, 1940. He was the eldest child of five children of the late: Marquis Augustus and Beulah Bradford Nichols. Marvin was proceeded in death by his brother, Donald Eugene Nichols. At an early age, he professed his belief in Christ and was baptized at Mount Zion Baptist Church, where he attended Sunday School and became a Cub and Boy Scout. Marvin L. Nichols was educated in the segregated Little Rock Public Schools. In 1957, he enrolled in the predominately white Central High School seeking to advance his educational opportunities. Because of the hostile racial climate in Little Rock, his parents decided it would not be in the family's best interest for Marvin to attend Little Rock Central High School. When Little Rock schools closed to prevent integration, Marvin moved to Chicago, Ill. to continue his studies. He later returned to Little Rock to attend Horace Mann High School where he played in the marching band and graduating in 1959. He would further his education by attending Philander Smith College [Little Rock] where he pledged with Omega Psi Fraternity and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Science (Mathematics and Chemistry). He continued his education and later received his master's degree in Social Work from the University of Kansas. In 1964, during the Vietnam war, he entered the United States Air Force as a member of the Officer's Training Corp and was commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant and served two tours of combat during that conflict. Marvin achieved the rank of Major, with over 20 years of service in the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserves. In civilian life, he spent many years as a social worker. Marvin was an active and dedicated member of the Jehovah's Witness for forty-seven years. He served as an Elder in the South Congregation of Belleville, Ill. Marvin is survived by his wife of 33 years, Vivian Brightharp Nichols of Swansea, Ill.; Children: Marvin N. Anderson and Kevin A. Green and grandchildren. Surviving siblings: Ronnie Augustus (Sandra) Nichols, (North Potomac, Md.); Carolyn F. Cheatham, and Annette R. (Johnny) Gilbert (Little Rock, Ark.) as well as a host of family and friends.