Eula Nichols

Eula May Nichols, ne Hembree, age 91, of Flossmoor, IL passed away quietly on March 12, 2024. She was born August, 23, 1932 in Kennewick Washington, second of 10 children to Howard and Lyla Hembree.

She attended Kennewick High School, where she was a majorette in the school marching band. During that time she worked a swing shift for the telephone company and picking asparagus.

At the age of 18 she was introduced to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints by a friend, and was baptized on August 3, 1951.

She later moved to California to attend nursing school. At a church dance an Army Officer caught her eye. He was dancing with her friend, and in a bold move for Eula, she asked to cut in. Robert E. Nichols Jr. drove her home, and asked her on a date for the following weekend. On December 10, 1956 they were married in the Salt Lake Temple.

After marriage they made their home in the Garfield Park neighborhood of Chicago. Bob went to work for Sears Roebuck as a copywriter, while Eula finished nursing school at Cook County Hospital. After graduation she continued on at the hospital as Registered Nurse.

In the early 1960's they moved to Seattle, WA while Bob worked towards a PhD at Washington State. Eula worked as an RN at Swedish Hospital. In 1964, their first son, Robert E. Nichols III was born. Bob graduated later that year, and the family relocated back to the Chicago area settling in Hazel Crest IL as Bob secured a teaching position at Purdue Calumet University. Eula retired from nursing to become a full-time mother and housewife. Their second son, Charles H, Nichols was born in 1966. In 1976 the family relocated to Homewood IL.

In the 1970's Eula returned to school to obtain her bachelors degree in History at Purdue Calumet. Eula's degree was likely influenced by her love for her genealogy work at both the church family history center and the National Archives.

In 1996 Eula lost her beloved husband Robert. In 2000 she decided to serve a mission for her church. She was assigned to work in the LA Temple Family History Center teaching visitors how to research their genealogy.

Until recently, she was an active member of her church serving in various callings over the years; Relief Society President and Counselor, Primary Leader and Seminary Teacher. Eula was an avid exerciser going on long walks most mornings and roller skated at Lynwood roller rink weekly into her 60s. Nutrition was a priority to her making home cooked meals daily and baking her own bread. Eula and Bob spent many hours gardening together. She knitted blankets and scarves for family members and to donate to homeless shelters. She was keen reader of romance novels and mysteries. She enjoyed crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles.

Eula was a selfless person who never failed to help those in need.

Eula is survived by her sons Robert E. Nichols III (Amy) and Charles H. Nichols, siblings Jackie Adkins, Karen Bancroft and Deborah King, brother in law Ralph Esposito (Beverly), good friend Caryn Lawther, and many nieces and nephews.

Eula is preceded in death by her husband, Robert E. Nichols Jr., her parents, Howard and Lyla Hembree, siblings Leah Coleman, Chloe Hembree, Roberta Boggs, Frank Hembree, Lewis Hembree, and Neil Hembree and sister in laws Susan Lindberg and Gail Esposito.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association, www.alz.org.For additional information contact tews-ryanfh.com or call 708-798-5300.