Ralph James Nichols

Ralph James Nichols, born in Hiawassee, Georgia on June 6, 1937, passed away on December 8, 2025, at the age of 88 at his home in Hiawassee, Georgia after an extended illness. 

Ralph was born to Lawrence McKinley Nichols and Bessie Shook Nichols. He was raised in a large family with his siblings Donnie Nichols Ellis, Bonnie Nichols Edwards, Florence Nichols Jenkins, Lawrence Nichols, Jr., Mae Nichols Dills, Alva Nichols Cowart, Kelsey Lex Nichols, Mildred Nichols Woody, and Willard MacArthur Nichols and nephews and nieces who also served as surrogate siblings and partners in crime. Large families and hard times were a part of Ralph’s early life. Growing up in a poor family is not a curse, but a hidden blessing that shapes you into someone stronger, more resilient. You learn the value of hard work because nothing is handed to you, and you learn the importance of family as the ones you rely on for help, happiness, and hilarious – but ever so dangerous – adventures.

These adventures took place in the mountains, rivers, and streams of north Georgia and served to forge incredible bonds that lasted a lifetime. The woods and fields, lakes rivers and mountains were excellent schoolmasters, which taught Ralph much more than he could learn from books. This love of nature drew him to Burkesville, KY where he owned a home and spent countless hours fishing and hunting in a place that reminded him of the woods of his childhood.

Ralph married Ramona West on March 19, 1961, the love of his life. As Joseph Campbell said, “Love is a friendship set to music,” and they danced to that music throughout their 61-year marriage.

Another love in Ralph’s life was the music he created. He taught himself to play guitar on an old dime-store model he found in the attic of a rental house and eventually owned and hosted the Hiawassee Oprey House for 11 years. Every Saturday night, country music and gospel hymns “washed away from the soul the dust of everyday life” for audiences (Berthold Auerbach). Ralph sang lead with the house band and a gospel quartet and eventually cut two CDs in Nashville, TN.

He began working at an early age and eventually ownd his own business, Hiawassee Electric Moter Service, in partnership with his brothers. Ralph also attained the designation of Master Plumber and Master Electrician. He owned the business for over 30 years and became a mainstay in the Towns County community.

The bedrock of Ralph’s life was his Christian faith. As Martin Luther noted, "Faith is a living, daring confidence in God's grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times." This is exactly what Ralph lived. He was a faithful member and deacon of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Warne, NC. for over 40 years. Ralph and Ramona were married in Mt. Pisgah to begin their live together.

He is survived by his children, Rhea Nichols Galati and her husband, David and Ryan James Nichols and his wife, Christen, as well as his grandchildren, Rachel Shannon Beck and her husband, Chris, Cameron Sean Cox and his wife, Alex, Chloe Leann Nichols, Rowan James Nichols, and a great-grandson, Logan Wesley James Beck. The pallbearers were Chris Beck, Brandon Barrett, Craig Moulton, Parker Nichols, Ty Crawford, and Curtis Mullins. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Ralph’s honor to the American Cancer Society.

Visitation: Friday, December 12, 2025 4-8 pm at Banister-Cooper Funeral home.

Funeral Service: Saturday, December 13, 2025 11 am at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, Warne, NC.

Banister-Cooper is in charge of arrangements for Mr. Nichols.