Celebrating the life of
Read Barden Nichols
October 06, 1955 - March 11, 2026
Read Barden Nichols died peacefully on March 11, 2026, in Savannah, Georgia. He was born October 6, 1955, in Bethesda, Maryland.
He was preceded in death by his father, Lloyd Barden Nichols, and his mother, Elizabeth Hunter Nichols.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Sue A. Nichols; his brother, Mark (Tae) Nichols; his children, Kristina Fletcher (Matt) and Read J. Nichols (Jessica); and his grandchildren, James Fletcher, Read Nichols Jr., Katherine Fletcher, and Scarlett Nichols. He is also survived by his beloved puppies, Beebee and Val, along with many close loving friends and family.
Read proudly served in the United States Navy as a Seabee. He later worked as a maintenance worker on Hunter Army Airfield before becoming a master carpenter for more than 45 years. He was also a business owner and beekeeper through his honey business, Readees Bees.
He was a member of Perdido Bay United Methodist Church in Pensacola, Florida, and First Baptist Church of the Islands. Read also served for many years as a board member of the Seaglade Owners Association, where he was affectionately known by many as the “Mayor of Seaglades.”
Read loved the water and enjoyed sailing catamarans, fishing, shrimping, and crabbing. He also found great joy working in his garden, canning his harvests, and beginning each morning with coffee and prayer with his loving wife.
A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 16, 2026, at the Fox & Weeks Islands Chapel. A celebration of life will follow the visitation immediately.
A later celebration of life will be held in Pensacola at Seaglade Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Sue A. Nichols or Read J. Nichols.
Sorry for your loss. Prayers to you and your family
- Steven Miller, Pensacola, FL
All of you are in our thoughts and will always remember Big Read with a smile.
- Gil & Kathy Bixel, Pensacola, FL
Mr. Read was a wonderful person to work with at the market, and we were fortunate to carry his honey in our family store. We were deeply saddened to hear of his passing. May his memory be a blessing.
- Devine Family, Savannah, GA
Read and Family, Please accept my condolences for this loss. May God give you the strength and grace needed as you all walk this path.
- Lynne Boatright, Savannah, GA
I have known Read since we moved to Seaglades in 1963. He was an amazing person and was loved by all the neighborhood kids straight into adulthood. But Read was always a wise and old soul, even as a boy. We will all miss him forevermore. Sending all our love and prayers to his family. He will be with you and us in our hearts, always.
- Suzy Martin Loonam, Chesapeake, VA
A candle has been lit!
He was the most kind and wonderful man. He will be so dearly missed!
- Betsy Powers , Savannah, GA
My condolences to the family. Pray for healing. I worked with Read at HAAF for many years and he was a very good man. He will be remembered
- Priscilla Ford, Richmond Hill, Georgia
Reed was a special childhood friend and neighbor. We lived next door to each other in Seaglades subdivision growing up and our parents were good friends. A favorite memories was Reed casting his net at Seaglades Park, catching mullet, cleaning and fileting them, and frying them up for breakfast with eggs and biscuits. Best breakfast in town! Reed was also such a dedicated community leader. He was a rock and cornerstone of Seaglades community. Our deepest and sincerest condolences to you, Sue, and your children, Mark and your all of your family.
- Trish and Tom McElfresh, Pensacola, FL
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
- Visitation
- 10:00 am until 11:00 am on Mon, March 16, 2026
- Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Islands Chapel
-
4605 Hwy 80 East (map)
Savannah GA 31410 - 912-898-0900
- Celebration of Life
- 11:00 am on Mon, March 16, 2026
- Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Islands Chapel
-
4605 Hwy 80 East (map)
Savannah GA 31410 - 912-898-0900