Shirley Lou Hawks Nichols, age, 86 of Galax, Virginia, died on May 31, 2022, at the Woltz Hospice House in Dobson, NC.  She was born to Troy Washington and Zella Ruth Harriman Hawks on September 24, 1935, in Galax, Virginia. Mrs. Nichols was the widow of Robert Louis Nichols, Sr. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Robert Louis Nichols, Jr.; sister, Hallie Sue Delp; brothers Alton Eugene Hawks and James Elmo Hawks.

She is survived by her grandson, Robert "Robbie" Franklin Nichols of Lexington, NC: two sisters, Karol and Stan Bennett of Galax, Virginia and Patricia Criner of Galax, Virginia; two brothers-in-law, Tommy and Marie Nichols of Baywood, Virginia and Gay Delp of Woodlawn, VA;  two sisters-in-law, Mary Nichols of Advance, North Carolina and Shirley Hawks of Fort Mill, South Carolina; special friends, Norma Allen of Fancy Gap, Virginia and Jane Morgan of Woodlawn, Virginia; seven nieces and two nephews also survive.

Mrs. Nichols was a devoted Licensed Practical Nurse having served at Galax General and then moving to Twin County with a total service of 26 years. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.   She enjoyed nature, quilting, sewing, reading.  She was especially interested in her family and genealogy research.

The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in Independence. Graveside services will be conducted on Saturday at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Independence at 4:00 PM by Mr. Jimmy McKnight.

In respect to the kind and loving care given to our grandmother and sister, the family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Woltz Hospice House 945 Zephyr Road Dobson, NC 27017.

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in Independence, Virginia is serving the Nichols family.