Ruth Nichols, key Africa University supporter, dies
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Ruth Nichols |
Jan. 26, 2005
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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Resources
Africa University
Downs Memorial United Methodist Church
Council of Bishops
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