Dennis Ray Nichols

Mr. Dennis Ray Nichols, 59, resident of Denham Avenue, died Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at Maury Regional Hospital. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Rev. Brian Wiesinger officiating. Burial will be in Polk Memorial Gardens with military honors provided by Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. The family will visit with friends Thursday from 4 - 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Notes of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.oakesandnichols.com. The Saginaw, Michigan native was the son of Dorothy Gray Nichols of Columbia and the late Eugene Nichols. He was a graduate of Columbia Central High School. Mr. Nichols was an employee of TVA for 11 years during which time he worked on the Columbia Dam. For the past 20 years he was employed by Kroger. He served in the United States Army during Vietnam. He was part of the Honor Guard attending the funeral services of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and also was in attendance at the services for the last horse to serve in the United States cavalry. In 1970 he was selected as Colonel's Orderly due to his appearance, bearing and military knowledge. Mr. Nichols was a 25 year member of Davy Crockett Long Hunter Association (Black Powder Club) and was a host for Davy Crockett Day in Lawrenceburg for 23 years. He was a member of Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. Survivors in addition to his mother are three daughters, Lisa Spruiell, Kim Carr both of Spring City, Beth Spruiell of Columbia; three grandchildren, Tanner Carr, Kendra Carr, Mitchell Conner; sister, Mrs. Lynda (Butch) Prosser of Columbia; brother, Jerry (Virginia) Nichols of Columbia; two nephews, David Nichols, James Nichols; and two nieces, Sandy Nichols and Kim Shelton. He was preceded in death by his wife, Velma Pauline "Polly" Dial Nichols in 1996. Pallbearers will be Bobby Powell, Zack Caperton, Ronny Ray, Len Clifton, David Nichols, Mike Anderson, Danny Dean Davidson and Wendell Nelson. Honorary pallbearers will be David "Butch" Derryberry, Rick Young, Doug Hickman, Bill Dial, Donald Wilkens, Butch Prosser, James Nichols, Employees of Kroger, Members of Davy Crockett Long Hunters.