Henry Clarence Nichols, 86 originally of Florence, AL passed away  Wednesday, November 11 in Birmingham, AL with his loving wife of 64  years holding his hand.  A memorial service will be held in Florence, AL  at a later date due to the current pandemic.

Henry was born April, 17, 1934 at ECM Hospital in Florence, AL.  He was  the only child of Henry Clay Nichols and Delora Tice Nichols.  Henry grew  up enjoying music, bicycles, the Tennessee River and his friends and  cousins who lived in the area.  He graduated from Coffee High School in  1952 and also from Florence State Teachers College in 1956 with a  degree in Music Education.  Henry also served in the National Guard.   He  began his career teaching in Moulton, Al and then moved back to  Florence and taught band at Florence Junior High, Harlan, Forest Hills,  Hibbitt and Bradshaw High School before he retired with 31 years of  service.  While teaching at Bradshaw High School he received Masters of  Education from UNA and a Landscape Design Certificate from Auburn  University and opened a garden center and did landscape design.

He met his wife Shirley Griffin at college and they could be found at the  college library most days where Shirley worked.  They married on July 7,  1956 in Florence.  They were married for 64 years and Henry was the  father of three girls.

Henry enjoyed all kinds of hobbies, he was a musician, photographer,  ham radio operator, bicyclist, knife collector, sport car enthusiast and  loved time on the water sailing.  After retirement he continued to play

with various music groups in the Shoals area; The Shoals Symphony,  Corinth Symphony, Retired Band Directors Assoc., the Shoals Community  Band and he sang with FUMC and First Presbyterian choirs. His life was  filled with music and performances.

After retirement Henry helped at a local plant nursery and enjoyed  helping friends and his former students pick out plants for their yards  while getting to visit with all of the customers.  He continued to be open  to new experiences and travel fed his passions for learning about  faraway places like Austria, Spain and Germany. Even at 86 he was  continuing to learn German.

Henry was a natural born teacher who loved to build-up those around him. He was  strong in faith and instilled that in his family. He never met a stranger and treated  every person he met with respect. Social justice and empathy were a great part of  how he made connections with young and old. He had an open mind to those he  encountered and encouraged the same in his family. Whether he taught you, or  worked with you, or just made your acquaintance it was always with an open heart to  help and encourage. He was always learning and pushing all of those around him to  do the same.

One of his greatest joys was his Grandchildren, they all gravitated to him.  His hugs were the first thing they ran to on their many visits. He taught  them how to ride bikes, make blueberry and banana pancakes, hunt, Uish,  sail and encouraged their interests and endeavors.  He was so proud of  every one of them. He lived for big holidays with all of his family in the  house. His ready smile and laugh made him a joy to be near.

Henry is survived by his wife, Shirley Griffin Nichols of Birmingham, AL.   His daughters Cherie Leist Woodard (Eddie) Jackson, MS; Leigh Nichols  Oncale (Shane) and Laura Buchanan McElroy (Robert) all of  Birmingham, AL.  Grandchildren Kayla Leist Labrato (Chase), Joseph  Leist, Sloan Kirby Kren (Hayden), Juliana Kirby, Sydney Oncale, Virginia  Buchanan, Hillary Buchanan, Lindsey Kate McElroy, Reed McElroy and  Sims McElroy. Great grandchildren Claire and Reagan Labrato and  Wesley Kren.

Memorial donations can be made to the Shoals Community Band or to  the Music program at First Presbyterian Church of Florence.