The Rev. Caley Ray Nichols, 87, died Oct. 24, 2015, in Clinton.

He was born April 27, 1928, in Magee.

Rev. Nichols was a graduate of Magee High School; Clarke College in Newton; Mississippi College in Clinton; and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. After high school graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the Atlantic on the USS Wisconsin during the last year of World War II.

He met Marie Nance, the love of his life, in Jackson, and they were married March 3, 1949, in Philadelphia in a pastor’s home.

He was ordained to the gospel ministry at Southside Baptist Church in Jackson on Oct. 29, 1950. He was passionate for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and devoted to the churches he served and the people to whom he ministered.

In a 65-year career, Nichols served churches in Mississippi, Georgia and Montana. While a student at NOBTS, he served Baptist churches in Crystal Springs, Tylertown and Hattiesburg. Following graduation from the seminary, Nichols served churches in Ethel; Albany, Georgia, and Helena, Montana.

As a pastor in the racially charged 1960s, Nichols championed equal rights among the races. He promoted desegregation in the congregations he served.

In Albany, Georgia, he founded the Good News Baptist Church based on an open door policy to persons of all races. The church reached many military personnel and their families. Serving as pastor in a city with three military bases, Nichols ministered to families whose loved ones died in service in Vietnam.

While serving as pastor of Helena Valley Baptist Church in Montana, he and Mrs. Nichols were commissioned by the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention to serve as director of missions in western Montana.

After several years in the northern plains, the Nichols returned to Mississippi where he served as pastor of Poplar Flat Baptist Church in Louisville. They retired in 1990, moved to Vicksburg in 1990, and served as interim pastor of several local churches.

The Nicholses opened their homes many times to visiting missionaries and mission teams, and they encouraged Baptist congregations to support missions through the SBC missions offerings.

Caley Nichols is survived by his wife of 66 years, Marie; son, Gary Nichols (Carolyn) of Milton, Florida; daughter, Gwen Robertson (Rick) of Brandon; four grandchildren, Molly Nichols Holton (Nathan) of Decatur, Georgia, Elizabeth Nichols McCaddy (Kevin) of Jacksonville, Florida, Denise Robertson Warnock (Chris) of Florence and Curtis Robertson (Katie) of Madison; five great-grandchildren, Frances Holton, Parker and Kendall McCaddy, Caleb Warnock and Cora Robertson; and a brother, Travis Nichols (Frieda) of Baton, Rouge, Louisiana.

He was preceded in death by his parents, M.L. and Beulah Robinson Nichols; one sister; and six brothers.

The family will receive friends Oct. 28 from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at Glenwood Funeral Home in Vicksburg. The celebration of life will follow at 11with Rev. Brian Ivey officiating. Interment at Cedar Hill Cemetery will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts to the North American Mission Board of the SBC, through First Baptist Church of Vicksburg.