Joyce Marie Nichols of Baton Rouge departed this life on Friday May 30, 2014, at the Memorial Herman Northeast Hospital in Humble, Texas, at the age of 61.

She was born first of six children to the late Comather Nichols Sr. and Velma Mondy Nichols on Oct. 23, 1952. Joyce was affectionately known as “Big Wheel” by her family and friends.

As a child, Joyce was reared in the Live Oak Community. She became a member of the Live Oak United Methodist Church at an early age. She was a faithful youth worker, attended Sunday Church School regularly and was a vocal member of the Live Oak Church Choir. Joyce continued to be faithful in God’s Ministry until her health began to fail. Her beauty, her contagious smile and her joyful laughter showered each and every person who came in contact with her with her love.

She attended Wesley Ray High School for 12 years, and she graduated with the class of 1970. During her wonderful years of her youth, Joyce excelled in all she did in school and in the community. She received numerous accolades, awards and medals for her academic excellence and for her outstanding contribution to the Wesley Ray High School Eagles’ trophy case. She was a lover of sports and a contributor to the team’s success. Joyce was a prominent team member of basketball, softball and track. She is very faithful to the community female softball team.

After graduating from Wesley Ray High School in 1970, she attended Grambling State University. Joyce received her bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education. During her years at Grambling, she received many awards and medals in track and softball. Later she earned a master’s degree +30 from Southern University in New Orleans and Xavier University in New Orleans.

Upon receiving her degree, she was employed to teach in the Washington Parish School System for a number of years. She was wedded in holy matrimony to Aaron Conner and later taught in the Orleans Parish School System. She worked there for many years. Joyce loved her work and worked hard to teach and nurture her students.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Comather Nichols Sr. and Velma Mondy Nichols, and two loving brothers, Randy Oneil Nichols and Jessie Lynndell Nichols.

Joyce leaves to cherish her memories: a brother, Comather Nichols Jr.; two sisters, Loris (Amos) Spikes of Baton Rouge and Darlena (Moncrea) Walls of Humble, Texas; a goddaughter, Erica (Ron) Yongblood of Baton Rouge; and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Visitation will be Saturday, June 7, from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. at Live Oak United Methodist Church in Angie. Funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Cook-Richmond Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. The Rev. Terrence August, pastor of Live Oak United Methodist Church, and the Rev. Charles Magee of Lakeshores are the officiating ministers.

Burial will follow in Live Oak Cemetery in Angie.