NATCHEZ — Graveside services for Jake L. “Red” Nichols, 86, of Natchez, who died Friday, July 23, 2010, at the Carpenter House in Baton Rouge, will be 11 a.m. today at Greenlawn Memorial Park with the Rev. Carl Smith officiating.

Burial will follow under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Mr. Nichols was born Dec. 24, 1923, in Selma, La., the son of Boss Wells Nichols and Martha Jane Paul Nichols. He worked in the oil fields and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marie Knight Nichols; one daughter, Martha Jane Nichols Cupit; one brother, Elton Nichols and two sisters, Enola Nichols Thornton and Emily Taylor Nichols Morgan.

Survivors include three sons, Jake Nichols Jr. of Natchez, Jody Nichols of Vidalia and Jeff Nichols of Baton Rouge; two daughters, Judy Nichols of Natchez and Lois Griffin of Biloxi; two grandsons, Shawn Cupit of Natchez and Walter Nichols of Ferriday; one great-granddaughter, Vega Cupit of Natchez and one great-grandson, Charles Nichols of Ferriday.

Pallbearers will be Shawn Cupit, Walter Nichols, Jay Stewart, Eddie Stroud, Michael Ferguson and James Cupit.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the American Heart Foundation.

Online condolences may be made to www.lairdfh.com.