Rogers DeLos Nichols ("Nick") transitioned peacefully to his heavenly home on Sunday, May 15, 2022 at Forsyth Medical Center. He was born on June 20, 1933 to Lanzie Nichols and Rogers Lowe. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Charles Nichols and Louis Nichols and sisters, Maggie Webb and Dockey Wright.


"Nick" graduated from Dunbar High School where he had a stellar career as a wide receiver. "Nick"" enlisted in the Army after high school. He was a Korean War veteran. He furthered his education after returning home at Davidson County Community College (now Davidson- Davie), taking courses through the Dale Carnegie School of Professional Training. He worked for N.C. Mutual selling insurance for many years. In 1970, he was appointed as the Executive Director of the Lexington Housing Authority where he served for 26 years. During his tenure, Eastside Village (Harmony Courts), Helen Caple Village (Caple Village) and Tiny Tot Day Care were established.


"Nick" was a social activist and great community leader during the Civil Rights movement. Serving in the N.A.A.C.P., he helped organize many of the marches held during that time and was instrumental in the desegregating of many Lexington establishments. He and his wife were among the plaintiffs who filed suit against the Lexington School System which resulted in their daughters being among the first to integrate the Lexington City Schools. He and Delos Marshall opened the first Black owned service station in Lexington. He served as Chairman of the Good Neighbor Council (the precursor to the Human Relations Commission on which his daughter now serves as vice-chair).


An avid sportsman, he coached the incredible Southside Village Men's softball team where he earned another nickname "Killer" because he hit the ball so hard - "he killed it." As much as he loved softball, his passion was golf. As a young boy, he caddied at the Lexington Country Club and learned his craft from watching the golfers there and became one of the best golfers in Lexington! He was known all over for his golfing prowess. He was a member of the Lexington Golf Association and the Sapona Golf Club. He traveled throughout the southeast playing in golf tournaments and brought home many championship trophies. He spent many days at Winston Lake and his picture is still on the wall at Winston Lake Golf Club. Throughout his golfing career, he gained many "sons."


During the 1970's, he established Nichols Development Company. He has served on the Lexington Memorial Hospital Board and Community Action Board and was a member of the Kiwanis Club and Banks- Miller American Legion Post for many years.


Rogers and his family served the Lord faithfully for many years at First Baptist Church in Lexington where he served as Chairman of the Trustee board. In 2000, the Lord led him to move his family to St. Peter's World Outreach in Winston-Salem, NC. He was a faithful, loyal member of St. Peter's World Outreach where he served as a Senior Deacon under the leadership of his beloved Bishop J.C. Hash, Sr. and Lady Joyce Hash. He also served as Chairman of the Heritage House Board for a number of years.


He leaves to cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife of 65 years, Janie N. Nichols; daughters, Debra (Stanley) Hogan and Natalie (Craven) Sanders; grandchildren: Charles (Erica) Norman, Stephanie Sanders, Courtney Sanders and Eric (Amy) Hogan; four great-grandchildren and five "bonus" great-grandchildren; nieces, Veanna Webb and Romana Parrish; sisters-in-law, Mae R. Edwards and Barbara Brooks; a host of other family members; and special caregivers: Mary Nesbitt, Ruth Steele, Phoebe Campbell, Kelley and Nicole (Lexington Dialysis Center) and Petra Leonard (Lexington VA Office).