Rev. Harold Nicholas of Chattanooga, TN went home to be with his Lord on December 8, 2015, at the age of 82 following a long illness.He was saved at the age of eight (8) at a city-wide campaign in Huntington, WV conducted by Dr. John R. Rice. He received his call to the ministry at the age of 16 and conducted many services, youth revivals, and was assistant teacher to the Men's Bible Class (approximately100 men) at the Twenty-sixth Street Baptist Church, Huntington, WV, until he went into the Army at age 21.

He served in the U.S. ARMY, AAA Regional Command, Fort Totten, NY; SP-3 Rank; attended BAAC School with MOS of 711.111.While in basic training, he conducted services in the barracks of enlisted men at which several were won to the Lord. He was with the 101st Airborne.

He was called to pastor his first church within six months of returning home, the Second Guyandotte Baptist Church, Huntington, WV. The congregation grew from 33 to over 400, completion of a new sanctuary, and was debt-free when he left to attend Tennessee Temple University. He pastored Jump Off Baptist Church, Sewanee, TN, a chapel of Highland Park Baptist Church, while beginning studies at Tennessee Temple. This ministry grew from 25 to an average of 79 with a high of 105.

While studying at Tennessee Temple, he assumed the pastorate of People's Baptist Church, Dalton, GA and served there for twelve years.

His studies at Tennessee Temple earned him a Th.G., (Graduate of Theology degree); Th.B., (Bachelor of Theology Degree (with High Honors), and a B.A., (Bachelor of Arts Degree, Pastoral Studies, Bible Major, Psychology Minor). He served as Chaplain of the Bible School Student Body; President of the Bible School Student Body, Vice President of the Bible School Student body, President of the Sophomore Class, and President of the Pastor's Club over the eight years he attended TTU.

He served with Dr. Charles Thompson as Assistant Pastor in establishing Heritage Baptist Church, Hickory Valley Road.

Before his retirement in 2002, he was Director of Pastoral Care Ministries for six years at Highland Park Baptist Church, Chattanooga, Tennessee.

He is survived by his wife of (60) years, Pauline Jarrell Nicholas; son, John Daniel ('J.D.') (Michelle); daughter, Marsha (Michael) Fitzgerald; grandchildren: Brittany Horne (Payton) and Jared Nicholas of Chattanooga; grandson John (Megan) Fitzgerald of Jeffersonville, IN and great-grandsons Rory, Ethan and D e c l a n N i c h o l a s Fitzgerald of Jeffersonville, IN; sister, Pauline Collins of Huntington, WV; brothers, Carolgene C. Nicholas (Barbara) of Huntington, WV and Oliver K. Nicholas (formerly of Chattanooga), Chesapeake, OH; nieces, Doretha Spurlock (Kenny) Asbury and Crystal Spurlock from Huntington, WV, Sherry Nicholas (Dr. Boyd) Herndon of Port Neeches, TX; Teresa L. Nicholas-Neal (Mark) of Alexandria, VA ; nephews, Dr. Steven Nicholas, Aaron Spurlock, Thomas and Joey Nicholas, all of Huntington, WV; Michael John Nicholas, and several great-nieces and great-nephews and brother-in-law, Jim J. Henington, Sr. of Decatur, IL.

He was preceded in death by son, David Harold Nicholas; parents, Thomas E. and Hattie 0. Nicholas; sister, Christine Henington; brother, Arnold Nicholas and nephew, Timothy Nicholas, all of Huntington, WV; brothers-in-law, A. E. Spurlock, Jr. and Autis Collins of Huntington, WV., William (Bill) Jarrell of Bluefield, WV; Charles (Lou) Jarrell of Milton, WV; Kenneth (Jane) Jarrell of Morriston, FL, Dave (Linda) Tester of Cleveland, OH and Willard (Betty) Jarrell of Milton, WV; sisters-in-law, Joann (Oliver) Nicholas of Chesapeake, OH, and Virginia Jarrell Jacks of Loraine, OH.

Rev. Nicholas was a member of Anchor of Hope Baptist Church, 2613 Lakeview Drive, Rossville, GA. The family will receive friends from 5-8 pm on Thursday, December 10 and 11 am -1 pm on Friday. The Celebration service will be conducted by Pastor Brian Haney and assisted by Rev. Ricky Spence and Rev. Paul Armstrong, both of Dalton, GA. in Anchor of Hope Baptist Church.

Interment will be at Chattanooga National Cemetery on Monday, December, 14 at 2 pm. 1200 Bailey Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37404.

The family wishes to thank the staff at PACE/Alexian Brothers, Martin-Boyd Christian Home, and the staff at The Health Center at Standifer Place for their loving care during the last years and weeks of "Bro. Harolds" life.

Service Information

Visitation Thursday December 10, 2015 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Anchor of Hope Baptist Church 2613 Lakeview Dr. Rossville, GA 30741 Visitation Friday December 11, 2015 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM Anchor of Hope Baptist Church 2613 Lakeview Dr. Rossville, GA 30741 Funeral Service Friday December 11, 2015 1:00 PM Anchor of Hope Baptist Church 2613 Lakeview Dr. Rossville, GA 30741 Interment Monday December 14, 2015 2:00 PM Chattanooga National Cemetery 1200 Bailey Avenue Chattanooga, TN 37404