Kelly Maria Nichols

Kelly Maria Nichols, 48, of Herrin, crossed the rainbow bridge on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at Herrin Hospital. She was greeted by her grandmother, Anneda Frances Johnson; grandfather, Anthony Raymond Johnson; in-laws, Geraldine and John Palmer; and her beloved feline companions, Nena, Shadow, and Piggy Piggy.

Born on April 26, 1976, in Renton, Washington, Kelly met the love of her life, Scott Anthony Palmer, in March 2004. They shared 20 beautiful years of adventures together, marrying under the stars in a whimsical ceremony dressed as their favorite characters with their favorite stuffed animals as witnesses. Kelly and Scott experienced a fairy tale life, attending countless concerts, living in a tree cave, savoring apple cider donuts at her favorite orchard, and simply enjoying each other’s company. Kelly could finish Scott’s sentences effortlessly, and they spent many quiet evenings watching movies at home. With her soft yet mighty hands, she held him up in every way and built the life of his dreams. Scott will miss her dearly, always.

A bright, shining star, Kelly’s first language was love. Even in the face of illness, she found the strength to rebuild families, repair bonds, and lift up total strangers. In her final days, she whispered goodbyes to those in need, reassured others, and offered signs and wonders to create lasting memories.

Kelly, “our little monkey”, had a passion for music and singing, and possessed the voice of an angel. She loved attending nationally renowned plays and supporting local theater productions. She enjoyed being outdoors, especially watching for butterflies and wild turkeys.

A tireless human rights advocate, Kelly waged peace and demanded racial justice from Chicago to Washington, D.C. She carried this advocacy into her work with patients at SIH, fighting for them. She was also a supportive colleague at Caseys and delighted many with her remarkable face painting skills as “Girlie Girl” at events throughout Southern Illinois.

Kelly was proud to have completed massage therapy school in Chicago. Her magical healing hands helped so many people recover from injury, pain, and fatigue, and she took great pride in using her skills to bring comfort and relief to those in need.

Kelly took great pride in helping raise her sisters and watching her nieces and nephews grow. She beamed with joy as she spoke of the obstacles her mother, Debbie, overcame to become the caregiver for Kelly’s niece, Charlee. Most recently, Kelly cherished sharing tea with her niece, Gabriela Rumsey, and holding her great-nephews, “Oh my Walker” and “Oh my Lucio.”

Kelly was deeply loved by her husband, Scott Palmer; parents, Bobby Akira Nichols and Debbie Mariann Johnson; grandmother, Mitsue Nichols; siblings: Christina (Jackie) Guevara, Kimiko (Chase) Nichols-Houston, Monalisa Johnson, Angela (Shannon) O’Malley, Melissa (Jimmy) Palmer, Jennifer Palmer, and Tracy (Betsy) Garcia. She also adored her soul sister, Becs “My Becca” Spohnholz, and her brothers, James Redden and Josh Rivera. Kelly's legacy lives on in her nieces and nephews: Chase (Myrna) Houston Jr., Michael Houston, Joshua Houston, Marissia (Gerardo) Gonzalez-Valenzuela, Isaiah Sacerio, Daniel Johnson, Kimiko Guevara, Charlee Johnson, Cove O’Malley, Tyler Palmer, Madison Palmer, Gabby Rumsey, Max Rumsey, Chloe Kennedy, and Zoe Kennedy; and great-nephews, Lucio and Walker. She also leaves behind dear friends, Anjelique and Kelly Curry; and cats, Tabby, Squeakers, and Baby Boy.

Kelly was preceded in death by her grandparents, Anthony Raymond and Anneda Frances Johnson; in-laws, Geraldine and John Palmer; aunt, Arlene Guthrie; and her beloved fur babies, Nena, Shadow, and Piggy Piggy.

“Something has changed with me, something is not the same. I’m tired of playing by the rules of someone else’s game. Too late for second guessing, too late to go back to sleep. It’s time to trust my instincts, close my eyes, and leap. It’s time to try defying gravity, our dearest Elphaba.”

Kelly’s heart will forever guide us. She was a force to be reckoned with and will be missed beyond words.

A celebration of Kelly’s life, hosted by her family will be held from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., Sunday, April 6, 2025, at Field of Dreams in DeSoto, Illinois. 

Riggin-Pillatsch & Burke Funeral Home in Carterville assisted the family with cremation services. 

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