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

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-McNutt Funeral Home
Highway 65 South
Clinton, AR  72031
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com