wfn.org | UMNS# 050-Ruth Nichols, key Africa University supporter, dies

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Ruth Nichols, key Africa University supporter, dies

Jan. 26, 2006

NOTE: A photograph is available at http://umns.umc.org.

A UMNS Report
By Linda Green*

Dr. Ruth Nichols, a podiatrist who was an active supporter of Africa
University and the widow of a United Methodist bishop, died Jan. 22 in
her San Jose, Calif., home.

The funeral service for Nichols, 85, wife of the late Bishop Roy
Nichols, has been scheduled for Jan. 28 at Downs Memorial United
Methodist Church, Oakland, Calif.  Bishop Nichols died in 2002.

"We remember Dr. Nichols for her strong love for Africa and committed
support for Africa University, from its days as an idea to its present
reality," said Rukudzo Murapa, vice chancellor at the United
Methodist-related school in Mutare, Zimbabwe.

"Together with Bishop Roy Nichols, (she) told the story of Africa
University at every opportunity, and she told it very effectively,
always reminding people that they could be part of God's transformative
work on the continent," he said.

Her concern for African youth in their quest for training and leadership
skills led the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference to establish a
$500,000 chair of education at the university in honor of the Nichols,
the first chair fully endowed in the Faculty of Education.

The chair allows the university to "make a difference in the lives of
thousands of African children as it trains teachers, curriculum
developers and school administrators," Murapa said. The endowment for
the chair also has been used toward research.

Although she was the spouse of a bishop, Nichols also had her own
identity as a podiatrist. Her husband was the first African-American
elected to the episcopacy after the dissolution of the racially
segregated Central Jurisdiction and creation of the United Methodist
Church in 1968.

"This created unique kinds of experiences and challenges for Dr.
Nichols," said James Salley, a family friend and Africa University's
associate vice chancellor for institutional development. "This
generation could learn a lot from her model of how to be affirming of
your spouse but independent in their own right," he said. "She
transcended all barriers."

She attended the Eastern Washington College of Education. After
graduation from the California College of Podiatric Medicine as a doctor
of podiatric medicine, she had a private practice for 20 years in San
Francisco and Berkeley, Calif.

Before Roy Nichols' election to the episcopacy, she supported his
ministry as local pastor at South Berkeley Community Church, Berkeley,
Calif., Downs Memorial United Methodist Church, Oakland, Calif., Salem
United Methodist Church, New York, N.Y., and Church By The Side of The
Road, Berkeley, Calif.

She taught Sunday school, Bible and confirmation classes, led and
counseled youth groups, and directed dramatic productions. Until her
death, she continued her membership at Downs Memorial and remained
involved with The Village Chapel at The Villages, San Jose, and with
Genesis United Methodist Church, Milpitas, and the South Bay
Interdenominational Ministers' Wives and Ministers' Widows Organization.

In each city where she resided, Nichols was active in the women's work
of the United Methodist Church. She taught courses at annual conference
schools, including "The Church at Work in North America," "The Middle
East," "The World's Uprooted," and "The Peoples of the South Pacific."

People who knew her said Africa University and the United Methodist
Church lost a longstanding friend in Dr. Nichols because she provided a
model for Christian living.

"We give thanks to all that she was to her church, to her community, to
Africa and to the world," Murapa said.

She is survived by three children: Melisande N. Schwatrzfarb, Allegra N.
Lewis and Nathan R. Nichols, their spouses, as well as a brother,
grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bishop Roy and Dr. Ruth
Nichols Chair in the Faculty of Education at Africa University, Old
Mutare, Zimbabwe. Donations may be sent to Africa University Development
Office, P.O. Box 340007, Nashville, TN	37202-0007. Checks should be
made payable to Africa University with a designation in the memo line
for the Bishop Roy and Dr. Ruth Nichols Chair.

*Green is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in
Nashville, Tenn.

News media contact: Linda Green, (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

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United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org