MOUNT AIRY — The Rev. Ernest Yancy Nichols, 79, of 187 Haystack Road, Mount Airy, widower of Mrs. Treva Pauline McCraw Nichols, passed away Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010, at his home. He was born Oct. 9, 1930, in Surry County to the late Wes Nichols and Martha Brintle Nichols. He was a well-known farmer and taught school for 28 years at Copeland School and Beulah School. The Rev. Nichols was a veteran of the Korean War, having served in the U.S. Army. He was a well-known Baptist minister, having served Gum Orchard Baptist Church, Paul’s Creek Baptist Church and New Life Baptist Church, where he was a member. Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Treva N. and Bobby Smith of Lowgap; two sons and daughter-in-law, James and Jyl J. Nichols of Mount Airy and David Nichols of the home; two granddaughters and spouse, Rachel S. and Juan Escobar of Lowgap and Sarah Smith of Raleigh; two grandsons, Wesley Nichols and extended family, April Morton, Emily and Ben, all of Mount Airy, and Justin Nichols and extended family Rhonda Harrison, Blaine and Dustin, all of Mount Airy; great-grandchildren, Mason Nichols and Callie Nichols of Mount Airy and Anna Leah Escobar of Lowgap; a sister and brother-in-law, Susan N. and Sam Lee of Woodbine, Ga.; and a brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Betty G. Nichols of Mount Airy. In addition to his wife and parents, the Rev. Nichols was preceded in death by a infant son; and a brother, Gray Nichols. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010, at Blue’s Grove Baptist Church, where his body will lie in state 30 minutes prior to the service. The service will be conducted by the Rev. Gray Kirkman, the Rev. Alton Bledsoe and the Rev. Sammy Lawson. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Moody Funeral Home. Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to the Blues Grove Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Mrs. Donna Draughn, 3069 Red Brush Road, Mount Airy, NC 27030. Online condolences may be made at www.moodyfuneralservices.com.