Joyce Marie Nichols of Baton Rouge, Louisiana departed this life on Friday, May 30, 2014 at the Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital in Humble, Texas at the age of 61.

Syhe was born first of six children to the late Cornather Nichols, Sr., & Velma Mondy Nichols on OLctober 23, 1952. Joyce was affectionally known as "Big Wheel" by her family and friends.

As a child, Joyce was reared in the Live Oak Community. She became a member of the Live Oak United Methodist Church at an early age. She was a faithful youth worker, attended Sunday Church School regularly, and a vocal member f the Live Oak Church Choir. Joyce continued to be faithful in God's Ministry until her health began to fail. Her beauty, her contagious smile, and joyful laughter showered people with her love to each and every person who came in contact with her.

She attended Wesley Ray High School for twelve yers, where she graduated with the Class of 1970. During the wonderful years of her youth, Joyce excelled in all she did in school and in the community. She received numerous accolades, awrds, and medals for her academic excellence and for her outstanding contribution to the Wesley Ray High School Eagle's Trophy Case. She was a lover of sports and a contributor tol the team's success. Joyce was a pominent team member of Basketball, softball, and track. She was very faithful to the community female softball team.

After graduating from Wesley Ray High, she attended Grambling State University. Joyce receivedf a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary and Special Education. During her years at Grambling, she received many awards and medals in track & softball. Later she earned her Master's Degree +30 from Southern University in New Orleans, and Xavier University, New Orleans, LA.

Upon receiving her degree, she was employed to teach in the Washington Parish School System for a number of years. She was weed in Holy Matrimony to Aaron Conner, and later taught in the Orleans Parish School System. She worked there for many years. Joyce loved her work, and worked hard to teach and nurture her students.

She was preceded in death y her parents, Cornather Nichols, Sr. & Velma Mondy Nichols and two loving brothers: Randy Oneil Nichols and Jessie Lynndell Nichols.

Joyce leaves to cherish her memories: a brother, Cornather Nichols, Jr., and two sisters; Loris (Amos) Spikes of Baton Rouge, LA, and Darlene (Moncrea) Walls of Humble, Texas, a God Daughter, Erica (Ron) Youngblood of Baton Rouge, LA, a sister-in-law, Brenda Peters Nichols of Baton Rouge, LA, and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Visitation will be Saturday, June 7, 2014 from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at Live Oak United Methodist Church, Angie, LA. Funeral service will gegin at 11:00 am. Cook-Richmond Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Rev. Terrence August, Pastor of Live Oak United Methodist Church and Rev. Charles Magee of Lake Charles is the officiating minister.

Burial will follow in the Live Oak Cemetery, in Angie, LA.