MRS. REBECCA H. NICHOLS, daughter of the late Mr. Leo Harkless Sr. and
Mrs. Creola Jackson Harkless, was born July 4, 1942, in Lee County (Lynchburg)
South Carolina. She departed this life on January 12, 2022.
Rebecca was affectionately known as "Lillie" to her family and friends. She attended
Florence County Public Schools. She was a homemaker throughout her adult life.
On September 19, 1970, Mrs. Nichols was married to the late Marion Nichols, Jr. To
this union, seven children were born. She was a member of the Church of Christ where she was
baptized and served faithfully until her death.
"Lillie" was a devout individual, both fervent and sincere, and God was truly the head of
her life. She set this example while nurturing a Christian household. She loved her husband and
children dearly. She honored her husband as the family's provider while instilling in her children
biblical morals and values that were instilled in her by her parents. She would often initiate bible
study with her family and in her later days, she would even interrupt her grandchildren's
favorite TV show by asking, "what are y'all learning from this?" Her life's dedication was in
giving her children back to God.
When the chance would arrive for her to participate in the church services, she'd sing
one of her favorite hymns with great conviction, "Hold Me, God. Hold me in the hollow of
your hand" or "I can hear my savior calling…I'll go with him all the way". Even through her
illness, when presented with the opportunity to say a few words, she would speak strongly of
her faith, hope, and trust in God, often encouraging and firmly testifying that "God will keep
you". This was her enduring testimony.
Mrs. Nichols leaves to cherish her precious memories: Marion (Vanessa) Nichols III,
Florence, SC, Harvey (Deirdre) Nichols, Timmonsville, SC, Philip (Sonya) Nichols, Florence,
SC, Telicia (Robert) Solomon, Florence, SC, Travis (Farrah) Nichols, Florence, SC, Titus
(Rebecca) Nichols, Lamar, SC, Charvis (Natasha) Nichols, Florence, SC; one Goddaughter
Carmen (Keyon) Lisbon, Florence, SC, thirteen grandchildren; five sisters, Mary Myers,
Gambrills, MD, Rachel (Robert) Shannon, Sumter SC, Elizabeth (Charles) Shannon, Sumter
SC, Loretta Brown, Florence SC and Maria Harkless, Florence SC; four brothers, Moses
Harkless, Wilmington, NC, David Harkless, Florence SC, James (Paulette) Harkless,
Wilmington NC and Thomas Harkless, Florence, SC; four sisters-in-law, Gloria Harkless,
Florence, SC, Johnnie R Nichols, Lamar, SC, Sharion Nichols, Lamar, SC, Elizabeth B. Harkless,
Florence, SC; two brothers-in-law, Jimmy Nichols, Waterbury, CT and Elijah Boyd, Florence,
SC; a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends. She was preceded in death by three sisters:
Dorothy Ann Harkless, Bernetha Boyd, and Alberta Burnett. Four brothers: Isaac Harkless, Paul
Harkless, Leo Harkless, Jr., and Roosevelt Harkless.