10/19/2026
Frances Joyce Nichol, born December 20, 1948, in Raleigh County, West Virginia, passed away on October 2, 2026, at the age of 77. She made North Carolina her home, where she built a life filled with love, family, and unforgettable memories.
Frances was the daughter of Virgil Joyce and Bebe Joyce Lester. Her father died when she was very young, and she was raised for much of her life by her mother and stepfather, Elmer Lester, who became the father she knew.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Virgil Joyce Jr., Michael Lester, and Larry Lester; her beloved daughter, Kelli Sturgill; her fiancé, Wayne Wilson; and her much-loved dog, Argos.
She is survived by her children, Kevin Farmer and his wife, Amy, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and Chris Nichol and his wife, Stephanie, of Randleman, North Carolina; her grandchildren, Will Sturgill, Alicia Farmer, Megan Sturgill, Dakota Farmer, and Jazmine Elswick; her sisters, Danita Harston and her husband, Brent, of Sherman, Texas, and Pamela Romansic and her husband, Dave, of Beckley, West Virginia; along with her great-grandchildren, extended family, and friends.
Frances lived a full and interesting life. She was an EMT, a drag racer, and a devoted animal lover. But of all the things she was throughout her life, none mattered more to her than being a mother, and she was an extraordinary one. She loved her children completely and protected them fiercely.
Frances was a woman of remarkable strength, independence, and resilience. These qualities were among the greatest gifts she gave her children, shaping the people they are today.
She was also wonderfully stubborn. Once she made up her mind about something, there was little hope of changing it. But that stubbornness was just part of her charm, along with the little things that made her unmistakably Frances, like her lifelong love of Dr Pepper.
She was funny, sarcastic, adventurous, and occasionally mischievous. She was also exactly the kind of mother who would lovingly tell you when you were being stupid, especially when you actually were.
She had a deep love for animals and was often affectionately called “Ellie May” because of her soft spot for nearly every creature she met. Argos, however, held an especially dear place in her heart and was frequently, only half-jokingly, referred to as her favorite son.
Frances was the person people turned to when they needed advice. Somehow, she always knew just what to say.
Her name may never appear on a building or in a history book, but her impact can still be felt in this world through the countless lives she touched and the good she put into it.
Her legacy lives in her children, her grandchildren, the people she cared for, the animals she loved, and every person who was better because they knew her.
For those fortunate enough to have known Frances, losing her leaves a space that can never truly be filled.
And for anyone who never had the chance to meet her, you truly missed out. She will be loved, remembered, and missed more than words can say.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Randolph County Humane Society.
Slate Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Frances Joyce Nichol. Online condolences may be offered at wwwdotslatefhdotcom.
