Rebecca Nichols

REBECCA JANE (ATHENS) NICHOLS - December 18, 1966-July 1, 2026

Rebecca Jane (Athens) Nichols fought the good fight, finished the race, and remained faithful (2 Tim 4:7) - and she never lost her beautiful smile that warmed every room and touched every heart she encountered. Rebecca went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 1, 2026. Rebecca courageously fought a battle against brain cancer every day for nearly ten months. She never waivered in her faith, abandoned hope, or stopped fighting. Throughout this time, her focus was on loving her family and praising God. We take comfort in knowing she has been perfectly healed in heaven.

Rebecca was born December 18, 1966, in Shreveport, LA but soon moved to Bartlesville, OK, where she lived an idyllic childhood. Her parents Dean and Connie Athens raised her in a loving, Christian home where they instilled a love for Christ. Her life was full of constant motion with church youth group, treasured friendships, a love of ballet, and many years as a cheerleader and pompom girl. She met her husband, Mark Nichols, on a bus bound for church camp and started a relationship that lasted 45 incredible years. Her marriage to Mark in 1988 created a partnership that took them to Norman and Edmond, OK then the last 20 years in Wichita, KS. She was the rock of her family, managing every detail of the home with incredible care and encouragement. Rebecca was a devoted wife and mother, and the best, most loving gramma - her true legacy that will carry forward her memory and reflect her character for generations to come. She passionately adored her children and grandchildren, willing to do anything and sacrifice everything to ensure they knew how loved and treasured they were. Nothing brought her more joy than watching her children and grandchildren do the things they loved - sports, music, dance, crafts, swim, and so much more. And she did not limit her love and care to just her own kids as she served countless seasons as team mom for baseball, football, and wrestling teams making sure those boys were well fed and hydrated, plus an untold number of summers spent cooking meals for hundreds of children and young people at multiple church camps each year.

Her interests also extended to time spent with friends attending Bible studies, playing mahjong each week, and serving alongside her sisters of P.E.O. Rebecca's smile and laugh were infectious as she loved so many. She leaves behind an incredible array of friends who loved her and prayed for her during her journey.

Throughout her life, Rebecca's relationship with Jesus was central to all she said and did. Her faith was deepened as she faced the need for a miracle healing from our heavenly Father during her illness. Rebecca was so strong and knew the promise of an eternal home with Jesus was waiting for her (John 14:1-4). She could have been consumed by fear and self-pity, but that was never in her character. She was a living testimony to the love of Christ and the confidence of her security in Him (Ephesians 2:1-10).

Rebecca was proceeded in death by her grandparents Burton and Virginia Corn, her father Carl Dean Athens, her brother Arthur Athens, and her mother-in-law Anita Rose Callahan. She is survived by her husband Mark, her daughter Taylor and Nathan LaBuda, her son Cooper and Allie Nichols, her grandchildren Collins LaBuda, Greyson LaBuda, Clark Nichols and Raney Nichols. Also she is survived by her mother Connie Athens, her sister Dena and Bob Peterson (Abby and Connor), and her brother Bradley Athens (Dylan), and others who called her "sister" including Mike and Amanda Nichols (Noah), Cindy and Ryan Land (Madison, Dalton and Mason), and Angela and Dave Rasmussen.

Our family has been supported and loved by so many we know and an untold number of those we may never know. We are grateful for every person who prayed, reached out to offer support, and offered words of encouragement. This outpouring is a testimony of the beauty Rebecca brought into this world and the love of Christ. Our thanks extend to her doctors in Wichita (Dr. Scott Hane and Dr. Jeremy Deutsch) and at the Mayo in Rochester, MN, who provided professional care with grace and kindness. We were blessed by incredible nurses, doctors and staff in Wichita at Wesley Medical Center, Ascension Via Christi St. Francis Hospital, and Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice. These medical providers were always compassionate, tender and kindhearted in their care.

Rebecca's life and faith will be honored in a memorial service at City Life Church in Wichita, KS, on Friday, July 17, at 10:30 am. Family and friends are invited to join in this special time of celebration. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Young Life Wichita (YL Wichita). Share condolences at www.cozine.com. Services by Cozine Memorial Group-Cozine Life Events Center.