Joe Nichols Jr., 79, of Piggott died Tuesday June 2, 2004, at his home.

He was born Aug. 5, 1924, in Piggott, son of the late Joe A. and Lora Lewis Nichols.

He married Anna Lee Rodery on Nov. 20, 1948. They had two children.

Nichols served as a master sergeant in the 101st airborne division in World War II. He was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church.

He was preceded in death by one brother and three sisters.

He is survived by his wife of the home; one son, Gary Nichols and wife, Marilyn, of Piggott; one daughter, Gayla Donner and husband, David, of Piggott; two grandsons, Brad Riddle and wife, Michelle, of St. Francis, and Rob Nichols and wife, Christy, of Sikeston; one granddaughter, Erica Harris and husband, Wade, of Piggott; three great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Cooper Harris and Caleb Riddle; two brothers, Hershel Nichols of Piggott, and Jimmy Nichols of Warsaw, Ky.; and one sister, Laurene Skidmore of Beebe.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 4, in the Hoggard and Sons Chapel with Rev. Charles Cooper officiating.

Burial was at Gravel Hill Cemetery in St. Francis with Hoggard and Sons Funeral Home of Piggott in charge of arrangements.

Pallbearers were Ira Causey, Keith Woolverton, Kirk Nichols, Ted McComb, Brett Baker and Rick Rodery.