CELEBRATION CELEBRATION OF LIFE OF LIFE
Sunrise
September 5, 1933
Sunset
November 5, 2024
“Wherever a beautiful soul has been...
”...there is a trail of beautiful memories.
Musical Prelude...................................................................... Organist
Processional.............................................................Clergy and Family
Musical Selection........................................................................ Choir
Scripture......................................................Rev. Dr. Jeremy McQueen
Old Testament
New Testament
Prayer of Comfort................................................Pastor Tricia Thomas Pastor, Centerville A.M.E. Chapel Church
Choral Response...........................................................................Choir
Solo............................................................................LaSaun D. Dozier
Reflections Family and Friends........................................Oscar Sutton Larry Riddick Larry Griffin
Acknowledgments..................................................Ms. Carsietta Burke ~Silent Reading of the Obituary~
Musical Selection.........................................................................Choir
Eulogy.....................................................Bishop Dwight S. Riddick, Sr. Senior Pastor, Gethsemane Baptist Church
Musical Selection.........................................................................Choir
Benediction.........................................................Pastor Tricia Thomas
Final Viewing/Recessional.......................................Family and Friends
the life of the life of
Francine Nichols entered eternal rest on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. She was born in Camden, South Carolina on September 5, 1933, to the late Hammie Lawson, Sr. and Christine Porter Lawson where she resided until relocating to Chesapeake, Virginia at 13 years old.
Soon after arriving in Virginia, Francine met Cleothas Nichols, Sr. They were joined in holy matrimony on February 23, 1952, and God blessed their union with six children. She worked for many years at the original Greenbrier Farms which was in the current Greenbrier section of Chesapeake, Virginia. After leaving Greenbrier Farms, she was employed by the Chesapeake Public School System at Butts Road Primary School where she retired from working as a cafeteria assistant.
Francine had a profound love for singing. She was a member of the Gospel Union Choir that traveled Hampton Roads spreading the Word of God through songs. As an adult, she joined Centerville Chapel A.M.E. Church where her passion for singing continued. She was the respected “Mother of the Church” and often led the congregation in songs. She was a member of the Senior and Mixed Choirs and served as President of the Senior Choir for many years even until her death. She also served as a Stewardess and a member of the Elizabeth Taylor Women’s Missionary Society, attending meetings, planning events, visiting the sick, and preparing and serving food to bereaved families.
Francine did not sit still for long, always finding something to do. She loved her family and friends and was always willing to lend a helping hand or words of encouragement and support. She also enjoyed cooking, sewing, caring for her indoor and outdoor plants, and completing crossword and word search puzzles.
In addition to her parents, Francine was preceded in death by five of her six children: Catherine Cuffee, Mary Lewis, Peggy Hill, Cleothas Nichols Jr., and Ricky Nichols Sr., and eight of her siblings. She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of 72 years, Cleothas Nichols Sr., her daughter, Darlene Nichols of Portsmouth, Virginia, two sisters, Irene Overton (Ike) and Geneva Fallis both of Chesapeake, Virginia, two sons-in-law, a daughter in law, five sisters-in-law, four brothers-in-law, ten grandchildren, eleven greatgrandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Don’t Cry For Me
Don’t cry for me.
I will be okay. Heaven is my home now, and this is where I’ll stay.
Don’t cry for me.
I’m where I belong. I want you to be happy and try to stay strong.
Don’t cry for me. It was just my time, but I will see you someday on the other side.
Don’t cry for me.
I am not alone.
The angels are with me to welcome me home.
Don’t cry for me, for I have no fear.
All my pain is gone, and Jesus took my tears.
Don’t cry for me. This is not the end.
I’ll be waiting here for you.
FLoral bearers FLoral bearers
Ushers of Centreville AME Church and New Weeping Mary Baptist Church
Pallbearers Pallbearers
Christopher Cuffee
Gershom Lewis
Russell Cuffee, Jr.
Irwin Lewis
Bernard Lewis, Jr.
Ricky Nichols, Jr.
Acknowledgement Acknowledgement
The Nichols family would like to acknowledge all acts of kindness extended to us from family, friends, neighbors, and acquaintances during the illness and passing of our beloved Francine Nichols. Every act of kindness was special to us and lifted our hearts during this difficult time. Thank you for the food you provided, telephone calls, text messages, and cards.
An extraordinary thanks to New Weeping Mary Missionary Baptist Church, Centerville A.M.E. Chapel Church, and Gethsemane Baptist Church families.
