Sammy Ray Nichols

Sammy Ray Nichols of Ashford, passed into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, May 13, 2022. In his 75 years, he lived a full life, enriched by a loving family and faithful friends. He was most proud of “his girls”, fanatical about his grandsons, and masterful at fixing or building just about anything. He was a believer in the clear difference between right and wrong, a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a patriot who loved America. Most of all though, he loved Jesus and His transformational grace and mercy. Today and for eternity, Sam is whole and well with the Lord.

Sam was born February 28, 1947 to Earnest and Louise Nichols from Andalusia, Alabama. He was the third of four sons born to Earnest and Louise. They attended the First Baptist Church of Andalusia and Sam attended Andalusia City Schools where he graduated in 1965.

After graduating from Andalusia High School, he enrolled at Troy State University for the fall term of 1965. He successfully completed his freshman year then spent his summer working construction to pay for his education. He returned to Troy State the following fall. During this time, the Vietnam War had begun and many young men were being drafted or enlisted into the Armed Forces of the United States of America. Still at this time, Sam was not convinced of his academic goals and decided it was best for him to join the military.

In October of 1966, Sam walked into the admissions office at Troy State University and withdrew from school. He then hitch-hiked to Montgomery, Alabama where he enlisted into the Marine Corps and hitchhiked his way back to Andalusia. On January 2, 1967, Sam reported to Paris Island, South Carolina for basic training and in March of 1967 he graduated from recruit training. He was second out of five in a platoon of seventy-five that received meritorious promotion for being an outstanding graduate. In April of 1967, Sam received orders to transfer to California for additional training, and in August of 1967 he was transferred to Southeast Asia to begin his tour of duty in Vietnam. Sam was a field radio operator for field artillery fire. He was then assigned to the 3rd Marine Division and 1st Battalion 4th Marine Regiment. During Sam’s thirteen-month tour, he received four Vietnam Bronze Campaign Stars for participation in four major- offensive combat operations.

In June of 1968, Sam was medevacked to a Marine Corps Field Hospital in Dong Ha, South Vietnam, suffering from malaria. He was then transferred to a United States Hospital Ship, the U.S.S. Repose, where he spent three weeks. Sam returned to South Vietnam once he recovered. On August 20, 1968, Sam’s tour ended and he returned back to the U.S. where he spent the remaining year and a half of his enlistment at New River Air Station in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

After Sam’s enlistment ended, he enrolled back into Troy State University in January of 1970. Sam graduated with a degree in Business Administration and Marketing in 1972. He soon realized that business was not his calling and felt a deep desire to pursue an educational degree.

It was Sam’s good fortune to meet the love of his life, Ellen in February of 1971, while in Troy. They met on a blind date. Sam remembers throwing pebbles at her window at Shackleford Hall to let her know he was outside. Sam asked Ellen to marry him soon after they began dating. In June 1971, Sam and Ellen were married. He graduated from Troy State University where he was certified to teach. This began his 37-year career in education. From 1973-1974 Sam was employed as Assistant Principal at Geneva County High School. He then moved to Dothan and continued his career as an Assistant Principal at Highlands Elementary from 1975 until 1980. He next transferred to become the principal of Honeysuckle Middle School.

Robert and Toni Byrd · Sunset Memorial Park

1700 Barrington Rd, Midland City AL · (334) 983-6604