Shelby Jean “Bo” Nichols
February 6, 1939 – October 21, 2024
Shelby Jean “Bo” Nichols, age 85, of Ferrum, Virginia entered Heaven’s portals on Monday, October 21, 2024. She was surrounded by her family as she took her final breath, leaving a void her family cannot fill. Though her earthly body was weakened, we have the promise that she is now walking the streets of gold without sorrow or pain. Shelby was born in Rocky Mount, Virginia on February 6, 1939.
Shelby enjoyed singing, gardening, bird watching, cooking, and arranging pressed flower cards and pictures. In her later years, she enjoyed long car rides in the countryside with her sweetheart. She was a poet, a songwriter, a musician, a nursing volunteer, and a cancer survivor. Most importantly, she was a woman of faith and a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Although the mother of five, she was known by many in the community as “Mama Bo.” Her heart was to serve and love all she encountered. She served in the ministry for nearly 65 years as a faithful pastor’s wife since the establishment of the Evangelistic House of Prayer in 1961, and in community ministry in the preceding years. Shelby also supported her husband as a local lumber industry business co-owner for over forty years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Walker and Ada Hodges; brothers Gordon and William Hodges, a baby sister and sister, Barbara Jean Hodges. She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Rev. Bud D. Nichols and five children – Teresa Blankenship (Tommy), Carl “Sonny” Nichols (Freda), Thelma Jean “TJ” Fischer (Martin), Bud Aaron Nichols (Kristen), and Tina Sullivan (Tom). She had eight grandchildren—Adam Nichols (Tiffany), Amy Nichols, Chrissy Martin, Jean Victoria Fischer (Peter Moreau), Lynn Aaron Nichols, Ashley Wiegand (Brandon), Mackenzie Sullivan, and Amber Leigh Nichols; eight great-grandchildren—Julian Nichols, Amelia “Mia” Wiegand, Brentley Wiegand, Ali Nichols, Gwendolyn Fischer Moreau, Bridger Nichols, Liam Martin, and Wesley Fischer Moreau, with another expected later this year; and three step grandchildren—JC, Annelise, and Celeste James. Shelby is survived by her brother, Marshall Hodges (Judy) and sisters, Betty Hayes and Rose Mary Williams. Aunt Bo left the legacy of faith and love to her numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center in Rocky Mount, VA. The service will be Thursday, October 24, 2024 at Evangelistic House of Prayer (785 Rambling Rose Road, Ferrum, VA) at 2:00 p.m., conducted by Bud D. Nichols, John Ingram, and Tom Sullivan. Burial will follow at a family cemetery on Raven Road in Ferrum. Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center, Rocky Mount.