On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, Mildred Carlene Nichols, 94, of Chillicothe, Ohio, left her earthly home and was welcomed into her heavenly home by her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As her family and friends grieve her passing, all can rest assured that her life has just begun.
Carlene was born on July 30, 1932, to Warren and Goldie Long, the youngest of six children. She grew up in a modest home and had a happy childhood, with the exception of being terrified by storms, a fear that followed her into adulthood.
On January 2, 1951, Carlene married Loren “Jack” Nichols. They shared 63 years of marriage until Jack’s death on December 4, 2014.
Carlene was a collector of many things, and a visit to her home placed visitors in awe of her collections. Above all her possessions, she treasured Jesus Christ and the love and companionship of her friends, family and church family. She maintained close contact through phone calls, letters, and cards and immensely enjoyed having visitors. She also shared her love by remembering others in prayer and by writing to deployed service members. Carlene should be remembered by the word JOY–Jesus, Others, Yourself—as that is how she lived. She held so many family and friends dear—to list each would lengthen this tribute by many pages. Please know that she loved each of you.
Carlene was gifted in many ways. She could feed deer from her hands, train squirrels to come to her door for peanuts, had a keen intuition and a witty sense of humor, and she grew beautiful flowers. Children held a special place in her heart. For several years, she worked as a cook at Bishop Flaget High School. She was also a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church.
Carlene was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings; son Loren Wesley; daughter Raylanda; sons-in-law Mike Seymour and John Brown; and many family members and friends. Surviving are children Fhaletta Seymour, Mark (Pam) Nichols, Myscenea Brown, Matthew (Jolene) Nichols, and Charles Nichols; grandchildren Jason Brown, Wesley (Melanie Bado) Brown, Susie (Heath) Good, Amanda (Cody) Canterbury, Megan (Tom) Lee and Zach Nichols; great-grandchildren Carianne and Alaina Woods, Natalie Bado, Estherlyn Good, Phillip and Caroline Canterbury, Bennett Lee, and Jaxon Cook. Estherlyn shared her Grandma’s love for Jesus by serenading her with Bible songs.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 26, 2026, at 1 p.m. at the Haller Funeral Home, with Pastor Chris Brown officiating. Burial will follow in Floral Hills Memory Garden. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. prior to the funeral service on Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tabernacle Baptist Church Care Fund, 221 East Main Street, Chillicothe, Ohio, 45601. Her online memorial register is available at www.HallerFuneralHome.com
Full service details and the family guest book are available at Haller Funeral Home & Crematory.