Saluda, SC

Alfred Henry Nichols

Alfred Henry Nichols, retired dairy farmer, 82, passed away peacefully at home on July 26, 2019,surrounded by his family.

He was born April 4, 1937in Saluda, SC in the home where he grew up. He was the son of the late Henry Luke Nichols and Annie Bowers Nichols. He spent his childhood farming his family land, often with a mule and plow and learned to drive in a Model A Ford.

Mr. Nichols graduated from Hollywood High School in 1956. While still in high school, he drove a school bus. He attended trade school for a short time. He also served his country from 1955 to 1964 in the South Carolina National Guard. As a farmer, he was an early adopter of soil conservation practices and won a soil conservation award for careful stewardship of the topsoil on his land.

Mr. Nichols was known for his kind heart, his patient nature, and love of the outdoors. He cared deeply for his family and worked various jobs to help support both of his children through college to give them a better life. He was a role model for his family, passing on his strong work ethic to his children.

He was especially known as a humble Christian man. He shared his steadfast faith in the Lord with those around him. He was a lifetime member of Corinth Lutheran Church, and also attended Celebration Church. He was active in the Lutheran Men in Mission at the local and state levels, and served as the treasurer of the Corinth/Saint Mark's Lutheran Men for more than 30 years. He was a member of the Cattleman's Association, the Forestry Association, and of the Committee of 100.

Surviving are his son and daughter-in-law, Todd and Dottye Nichols, of Cary, NC; his daughter and son-in-law, Carmen Nichols Cummings and Rodney Cummings, of Central, SC; and his granddaughter, Lily Grace Cummings in New York. He is pre-deceased by his loving wife Mary Grace McCarty Nichols, his son Tony (stillborn), and elder sister Mary Anne Nichols Hancock.

The family will receive friends from 5 until 8 p.m., Sunday, July 28, 2019 at Celebration Church.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m., Monday, July 29, 2019 at Corinth Lutheran Church with Rev. Pam Turfa and Rev. Jerry Brunson officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Lutheran Men in Mission.