of Clinton, AR
September 24, 1934 - February 26, 2022
Freeda Baker Nichols, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 26, 2022, in Little Rock, Arkansas. Born in Shirley, Arkansas, on September 24, 1934, to Walter Baker and Laura Sephronia Harper Baker, she and her six siblings grew up on Banner Mountain in the central Ozarks, an area of natural beauty that inspired her creative writings and photography throughout her life. She was able to take common words and mold them into beautiful works of art, which her family and friends will cherish forever.
On October 24, 1953, Freeda married Darrel Nichols, the love of her life, in Clinton, Arkansas. She proudly supported Darrel's career in the Air Force as they moved to various locations both stateside and overseas. Working together, they provided a loving home to their four children. After retirement, they settled again in Clinton and enjoyed welcoming seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
A woman of faith, Freeda loved all the splendor of God's creation and enjoyed capturing this beauty in her photographs of birds, flowers, and her beloved Ozark Mountains. She was passionate about writing throughout her life, writing her first poem at the age of nine as an expression of love for her mother. Her work appeared in newspapers, magazines and anthologies. She published two children's books, Little Bug Eyes and Badfellow the Bull; a poetry chapbook, Tigers and Morning Glories; and a mainstream novel, Call of the Cadron.
Left to cherish Freeda's memory are her devoted husband of 68 years, Darrel Nichols; her beloved sister Yvonne Hall of Moreno Valley, California; and her four children: Greg Nichols (Tammy) of Cleburne, Texas; Tammy Mykel (Kevin) of Andover, Kansas; Tracy Broadwater (Dennis) of Batesville, Arkansas; and Steve Nichols (Angela) of Clinton, Arkansas.
Also remembering their grandmother and great-grandmother with love are Laura Keller (Rusty), Troy Nichols, Andrew Mykel (Esmie), Sally Shewmaker (Philip), Brice Nichols (Nina), Caleb Nichols, Logan Nichols, Lainey Keller, Rhett Keller, Emma Shewmaker, and Amelia Shewmaker.
Freeda was preceded in death by her parents Walter Baker and Laura Sephronia Harper Baker and five siblings: Emma Jean Hutson, Dean Baker, Merle Bonds, Aaron Baker, and Bill Baker.
A drop in visitation will be held Wednesday, March 2, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Roller - McNutt Funeral Home in Clinton, Arkansas. The family would cherish any notes of memory, condolence, gratitude or appreciation expressed in honor of Mrs. Nichols. Stationery will be provided.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 3, 2022 at Pee Dee Baptist Church in Clinton, Arkansas with Pastor Kyle Blanton officiating. The wearing of personal face coverings is optional and social distancing is encouraged.
To express condolences online please visit www.rollerfuenralhomes.com/clinton
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49 Condolence(s)
Patricia (Pat) Durmon
Wednesday, March 23, 2022
This was a good-hearted woman. My guess is that she leaves a empty hole in your lives. I am sorry for your big loss. Knowing her as a poet/writer has been a pleasure in my life. She is in a sweeter place. (I just heard of Freeda's passing.)
Diana Jones
Friday, March 11, 2022
A sad goodbye to a very special lady. She leaves behind a wonderful, loving family. She left some beautiful writings & photos that we will forever enjoy. Prayers for comfort & peace for those she leaves behind.
Diana Jones
Glenda Smith
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Heaven is sweeter. We are praying for your family.
Charles and Glenda
Alice Chambers
Monday, March 7, 2022
So sad to hear of Freda's passing, as fellow writers, I enjoyed her articles and communications. Condolences to her family.
Hilary & Brad Baket
Sunday, March 6, 2022
Our condolences. She was a lovely, gracious, talented lady.
Sue Cossey
Friday, March 4, 2022
I am so sorry to hear of Freeda's passing, I just found out yesterday. She was a very special lady, and back in the 1990's she helped my son get his first book published. She will be very much missed. My heartfelt sympathy and prayers goes out to all of the family.
Lois Coley
Friday, March 4, 2022
Joyce Hartmann
Thursday, March 3, 2022
So sorry to learn of Frieda's passing. We shared a love of nature and her bird photography was so great to see on Facebook. The whole community will miss this cheerful woman and her stories, but her memory will live on for a long time. Condolences to the family.
Vickie Gammill
Thursday, March 3, 2022
I’m so sorry for the loss of Mrs. Freeda, my heart goes out to Gene, and the family. May God’s love and mercy give you all comfort at this difficult time.
Deb Kerrigan
Thursday, March 3, 2022
I am so sad to hear of Ms. Freda's passing she will be sorely missed . She was a great assert to our little town.I will miss seeing her smiling face. She and I had a lot of good conversations. She truly was one of a kind, I will miss her writings and photography greatly. Again my heartfelt condolences to the family!
Laura Grimes
Thursday, March 3, 2022
Nichols Family. I was so sorry to hear about the loss of Freeda. She was a sweet lady. Prayers for you all in your loss. May the Lord give you all comfort & peace in your loss. God Bless You All.
Judy VanPelt
Thursday, March 3, 2022
Darrel and Family,
I was so sad to read of Freeda’s passing. What a super sweet, nice lady!
May God hold you in his loving arms and guide you through the days ahead.
Darrel, I can’t begin to imagine how much you will miss her. ðŸ™ðŸ»ðŸ™ðŸ»
Phyllis. Knight
Thursday, March 3, 2022
Enjoyed my time with her in sundayschool, talented lady who loved her family an the Lord.God bless her family.
Tajuana Hendrix
Thursday, March 3, 2022
So sorry for your loss. Praying.
Mark Gammill
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
I am so sorry for your loss. Freda was a very sweet gracious lady and I am thankful that I knew her. We are praying for Gene and all of your family.
Dana Bohannon
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
Freeda was a sweet and beautiful lady. I loved her posts on Facebook. She loved her Gene so much and I know he loved her. Her children and grandchildren were a very important part of her life. Above all her life showed the love of our Savior. We are praying for comfort for those who loved her and will miss her especially Gene. Dewey and Dana Bohannon
Patti Lowrance
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
Darrel and family, I was so very sorry to hear of your great loss with the passing of your beautiful Freeda. Wayne and I felt so blessed to be her friend. I will personally miss her writings and her glorious photography. My prayers and love go out to you and up to the Father for His comfort and peace.
Love you,
Patti Lowrance
Brice Smith
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
So sorry for your loss. Our deepest condolences. Prayers
Dana Eppes
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
I am so sorry to hear of Mrs. Freeda’s passing. She always encouraged me in my writing and she was so very kind. I know she will be missed by many. Praying for peace and comfort in the coming weeks.
Robert and Pam Satterfield
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
Your deepest condolences to you and your family
Sue Bradford Wallace
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
Condolences and prayers for the family of a very talent woman.
Vickie Lucas
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
Steve you & your family have my deepest sympathy. May God hold you in his comforting arms during your time of loss.
Mary Archer
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
My heartfelt condolences to this wonderful family. Enjoyed the times we got to visit. 💔
Reba Rooney
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
So sorry to hear , she was a special lady , wrote get books kind person prayers
Martha Williams York
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
I thought the world of my sweet cousin Freeda. Gene and family, my prayers are that you will be comforted by your precious memories. Visiting Clinton won’t be the same…..I always loved our good visits when I was there. Some of my earliest memories are going with Grandma Harper when she would go stay at your house.
Boris and Pam Dover
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Tracy and Dennis please let us know if we can do anything for y’all. We love all of you.
Randy and Cheryl Baker
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
We are so sorry for the loss of Aunt Freeda. She was a loving and talented person who will be greatly missed, and our hearts go out to Uncle Gene, our cousins and the whole family. Our prayers are with you all.
Bettye Smith
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
Im so sorry for your loss, i knew your grandparents and also merle and bill. I pray for peace and comfort for all of you during this sorrowful time. Your mother sounded like she had a wonderful life and is in the arms of our heavenly father
larry and jolita huie
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
sorry to hear of our friends passing. we were good friends and we loved her writings and pictures on facebook. may god give all her family strength to get thru this time of sorrow. we love all of you.
Benny & Doris Brown
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
So sorry for your loss. Sending our condolences. Freeda was a loving childhood friend. You will be missed.
Shirley Waller
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
To the Nichols family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Freeda was a very special lady and she will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you go thru this difficult time.
Shirley Waller
Jodie Hightower
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
Tracy, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this sad time. Jodie
Sharon J Gage
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
Tracy and Dennis,
I recently lost my mother. My heart goes out to you more than you know. I love you guys. Please call me if I can do anything for you.
Sharon Gage
Shannon Haney
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
Tracy, Laura, and all the family: She sounds like an extraordinary person. How blessed you were to have her as a mother and grandmother. Prayers for your family. --Shannon Haney
Dixie Carter
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
To hear the news of her passing is very sad. Freda Baker Nichols wrote with love and was a wonderful asset to our community. Her poems and warm stories were a support to many of us. She was always a wonderful support for my daughter who had Mr. Nichols for a teacher. My prayers for the family at this time. I know she is loved and will be remembered forever.
Bro. Joe & Peggy Jackson
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
Our prayers are with you and your family during this time of loss.
Kari Olson
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
Sending love and prayers as your family remembers a wonderful well-lived life and the cherished memories Freeda gave you all. A very special lady.
Glenn, Cathy, Chad and Brian
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I’ll always remember Freeda coming to West School and reading to the kids, when I had Sally. She was such a sweet lady. Love and prayers to her family.
Toney and Sallie Parish
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
We are so sorry for your loss! We pray for peace to all your hearts!
Don and Verda Nunley
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
We are so sorry to hear of Freadas passing our thoughts and prayers are with the family
Billy & Patsy Cummings
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
We are so sorry for your loss. Sending prayers of love, strength, and comfort.
Judy Eakin
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
I am so sorry for your loss , may God give you peace
Jim & Laudell Massengill
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
We are so sorry for your loss, but grateful for all your good memories if her.
Mary Jean Hall
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
I will miss Freeda. I will always remember going to the Writers of the Foothills meetings with her.
Mary Jean Hall
Shirlee Mercer meyer
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
I did not know this lovely individual, but I do know she was a lovely mother-in- law to my niece, Angela. She had many people praying for her during her illness, including myself. May her peace in the LOrd Jesus be a blessing to each of you. She was blessed to have a wonderful family and son among all the rest. My sincere condolences. ðŸ™ðŸ»â¤ï¸
Nancy Hobbs
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
So sorry to hear of the loss of your dear grandmother, Freeda.. May the Heavenly Father in his infinite wisdom wrap his loving arms around you and your family giving you comfort, peace and strength for the coming days ðŸ™ðŸ»
Stephanie Lawrence
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
I am so sorry to hear of Mrs. Nichol's passing. She was always so kind to me. You are all in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. May God give you comfort and peace in the days to come.
Barry & Karen Lambert
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
Sammy&Anna Ward
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
So sorry to hear about Frieda she was a very kind and was a great in writing her books our thoughts and prayers to out to all the family May God Bless you all