Sister Turah Dean Nichols was born on May 17, 1936, to the union of the late Elvie Lewis, Sr. and Daisy Ophelia Lewis. She attended public school in Double Bayou, Texas. After graduating, she attended a school of music in Houston and became a music instructor specializing in the organ and piano.
Sister Dean Nichols was the Chambers County musician for many years and had a hand as a teacher for many of the finest pianist in Chambers County which included a ninety plus year old music student. She gave them their start in playing the piano. Sister Dean Nichols played for numerous churches; one of them was Mt. Zion Baptist Church for forty years until her health failed. She also played for St. Paul United Methodist Church, Smith Point Baptist Church, St. James United Methodist Church, Sunlight Baptist Church, John Chapel Baptist Church, Our Lady of Light Catholic Church and many others. Sister Dean Nichols was an accompanist for various soloist, funerals, weddings, and church services or whenever it was asked if there was a musician in the building. She also played for the Chambers County Choir and the Masonic Sons. Sister Dean Nichols was always willing to lend a helping hand wherever she was needed and we were blessed to have her in our mist.
Sister Dean Nichols accepted Christ at the early age of fourteen and became a faithful member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. She worked dutifully as the church pianist/organist, secretary, church clerk, president of mission, treasurer, and was also on the food committee. Even during her illness, God was a major topic of her conversation.
She loved going to church, shopping, dressing up, cooking, playing her musical instruments and her family. She never was to busy to lend a helping hand or a listening ear and would bend over backwards to help anyone at anytime.
Sister Dean Nichols departed from her life on October 12, 2010. She was preceded in death by her parents, Elvie Lewis, Sr. and Daisy Lewis; sisters, Gloria Jean Lewis, Annie White and Theresa Carrington; brothers, Hugh Lewis, Elvie Lewis, Jr., and William Lewis and husband, Loomis Nichols. Those remaining to cherish her memories are a brother, Henry Lewis and his wife Patsy; sister, Odie Pearl West; a goddaughter, Helen Johnson and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services will be at 1:00 PM Saturday, October 16, 2010, at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 338 Church Rd, in Double Bayou with burial to follow at Mt. Zion Cemetery under the direction of Broussard’s, 134 W. Buccaneer Dr. in Winnie. A gathering of family and friends will be from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM at the church.
