97, passed from this life to his eternal home on Monday, June 10, 2024. He was born in a little place he called “Ignorant Bend” (now renamed Harmony) in Bradley County to the late Luther Burdette Nichols and Ida Hayes Nichols. He spent much time during his childhood with his grandparents, Will and Jenny Hayes, with whom he learned about hard work and music. He went to school in “the bend” up until the 8th grade and then went on to further his education at Warren High School.
Uncle Sam called upon Bob when he was 18, and soon he found himself serving his country in the Army in the Philippines and later, Japan. After returning to the states, Bob went to Barber School on the G.I. bill and learned the trade he’s famous for even today, barbering. He met his wife, Reba, while working at a barber shop in Hampton, Arkansas. The two married on February 24, 1952 and started a family soon thereafter. They had four children by 1960 and in May 1961, the couple moved to 1906 Meadowlane in Fordyce and resided there for the remainder of their marriage. Bob was well known to the community as a cut-up at his Barber Shop on South Main and beyond. He had a big personality and a love for people. He spent nearly 60 years cutting many heads of hair and loved visiting and joking with his customers. Whether he was cutting hair or sawing on his fiddle, he was vibrant, loud, and joyful. He loved the Lord and spent many Sundays playing music and “leading singing” in church. He was a member of the New Edinburg Methodist Church.
Bob is survived by his children, Warren, and wife, Trish, of Thornton, Andy, and his wife, Debbie, of Mountain View, Elizabeth Seybert and her husband, Randy, of Daingerfield, Texas, and Tim and his wife, Charlotte, of Fordyce.
Bob is also survived by 8 grandchildren that called him ‘Pawpaw’: Anna Seybert Sperry (Stephen), Ashley Nichols Tidwell (Patrick), Emily Seybert Hall (Michael), Kyle Dustin Nichols, Andrea Nichols Stephenson (Kurt), Kadra Nichols Ladd (Jared), Leah Nichols Tinkle (Ryan), and Suellen Nichols West (Seth). He also had 16 great grandchildren with one more due in December.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ida and Luther Burdette, his two brothers and one sister, his wife of 62 years, Reba Rogers Nichols, and a daughter-in-law, Lori Nichols.
A visitation will be held Thursday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. at Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce. Funeral services will be 2PM Friday, June 14th, at Benton Funeral Home Chapel in Fordyce. Burial will follow at Stony Point Cemetery. To sign the online register visit www. bentonfuneralhome.net .
