Joyce Nichols
December 26, 1929 — February 3, 2015
Westernport
Piedmont, WV
Joyce Sue “Joy” Nichols, 85, of West Hampshire St, Piedmont, passed away Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at Heartland of Keyser.
Born December 26, 1929 in Piedmont, on the same street she lived on, she was the daughter of the late Gilbert and Ugie (Swope) Blackburn. She was also preceded in death by her first husband, Verdeen “Sonny” Parsons, her second husband, William Thomas Nichols, a daughter, Debra Ann Parsons, and a sister, Nancy See.
Joyce was a 1948 graduate of Piedmont High School, where she was a cheerleader. She retired from the Mineral County Board of Education, having been a cafeteria employee. In her earlier years she worked as an operator for the C & P Telephone Company, Piedmont. Joyce was an active volunteer and member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, a member of Queens Point V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary, McCoole, MD, a member of the Mineral County Board of Elections for many years, and a member of Martha Washington Chapter #10 Order of Eastern Star. Known as Ma Ma to many, she enjoyed taking vacations and traveling with her friends, especially her best friend Eleanor McCrobie, and was an avid bingo player. She also volunteered at St. Peters Catholic School in Westernport for many years during her daughter’s school years.
She was a very loving mother and grandmother who will be deeply missed. Piedmont will never be the same without “Joy” in it as she leaves behind her son, Robert S. “Nick” Nichols of Piedmont, a daughter, Gershon D. “Shonnie” Laughlin and husband Mike of Moorefield, four grandchildren, Matthew J. Snyder, Zachary M. Laughlin, Sharon B. Snyder, and Camden E. Laughlin. She is also survived by a special friend John Amoroso and family of Piedmont.
Friends and family will be received at the Boal Funeral Home, Westernport, MD, on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM. A funeral service will be conducted at the funeral home chapel on Saturday at 1:00 PM, with Rev. Steve Grimes officiating.
Interment will be in Philos Cemetery, Westernport, MD.
The family extends a special thank you to Heartland and staff for the wonderful care Joy received during her stay there.