J. C. Nickels

September 3, 1926 - February 21, 2014

Big Stone Gap, VA J. C. Nickels, 87, passed away on Friday (February 21, 2014) at his home, surrounded by his family. He was a lifelong resident of Big Stone Gap. He retired after 42 years as owner/operator of Nickels Refrigeration in Big Stone Gap. He was a U. S. Navy Veteran of WWII. He was of Methodist faith. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jess and Iva Belle (Galloway) Nichols; brothers, Ted and Bill Nichols; sister, Thelma Vernon; a step-daughter, Cathy Galloway and the mother of his children, Stella Nickels. Surviving are his wife of 22 years, Ellen Nickels; two sons, Doug Nickels and wife, Donna of Big Stone Gap, and Mark Nickels of Gate City, VA; three daughters, Gloria Graves and Janice Davidson and husband, Johnny, both of Weber City, VA, and Deborah Filyaw of Appalachia, VA; 15 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren; one sister, Betty Anderson of Rogersville, TN; one brother, Hubert Nichols and wife, Virginia of Nashville, TN; several nieces and nephews; two step-sons, Eddie Galloway and wife, Angie, and Jeffery Galloway, both of Lancaster, KY; and three step-grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday at Holding Funeral Home (17 E. 3rd St., N.) in Big Stone Gap. The funeral service will follow at 7 p.m. on Monday in the funeral home chapel with Evangelist Noah Lee Vernon and Pastor Tony Nunley officiating. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at Powell Valley Memorial Gardens. Family and friends are asked to meet at the funeral home by 10:20 a.m. on Tuesday to go in procession to the cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Doug Nickels, Mark Nickels, Johnny Allen Davidson, Tim Davidson, J. Douglas Nickels, Dominic Nickels and Danny Caudill. To view the obituary online and offer condolences, please visit www.holdingfuneralhome.com. Holding Funeral Home is serving the Nickels family.