Ms. Carole Florence Nichols

Carole Florence Nichols passed away peacefully on August 5, 2026. She was born on October 5, 1933 in Elmhurst, Illinois the third and youngest child of John Francis Nichols and Mary Florence Kelly, nee Littlefield. She was predeceased by her sister Jayne Pietsch (Lysle) and brother John (Jack) Francis Nichols II (Doris). After graduation from Immaculate Conception High School in 1951, Carole worked as a secretary for Standard Register in Chicago till she married and moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1954. Following the end of her marriage in 1965 she took up bookkeeping, working first for Grand Valley State College (now University) and for the American Red Cross 1968-'74, where in addition to her regular responsibilities she was a valued member of the Red Cross Disaster Team. She was also a regular box-office volunteer for the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. Following her move to Florida she worked as chief accountant for the Orlando Regional Medical Center 1974-'87, after which she moved to Atlanta to be closer to her daughters. There she worked as a small-business accountant and again with the Red Cross as a volunteer. Following a long-held dream, in 1989 she and her son purchased and renovated the historic Mercer County Jail to create The Jailhouse Bed and Breakfast in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, which she operated for three years, hosting visitors from around the world. Moving again to her daughter's horse ranch in north Georgia, she got involved in contributing her sewing skills to local theatre productions, becoming principal costumer for the Holly Theatre in Dahlonega 1999-2009. She was honored to accept the 2008 Metropolitan Atlanta Theatre Award for Best Costumes in a Musical (My Fair Lady). In retirement Carole enjoyed making miniatures and doll clothes, often donating dolls to needy children in the community. She was a lifelong seeker of spiritual wisdom and devoted to friends and family, especially her sister Jayne, who lived to age 100. Carole is survived by her close cousin Phyllis Baber, children Steven Michael Ayres (Lesley Aine McKeown), Diane Marie Ayres-Cochran (Weyman), Karen Ann Ayres and Mendy Ann Morgan (Becky), her grandchildren Carl Theodore Stovall III, Farris Carlen Weinberg, Kellie Ann Styskal (Brandon), Ethan Richard Reed and Morgan Leigh Reed, and great-grandchildren Justin Carlen Weinberg, Jonathan Isaiah Tucker-Stovall, Trey Dominic Ray Styskal and Ava Raelynn Styskal, as well as the many friends in her theatre family. As remembrance the family encourages donation to the American Red Cross.

Ms. Carole Florence Nichols

October 5, 1933 - August 5, 2026