Buddy and Delores
Dr. L.W. “Buddy” Nichols died Friday, May 3, 2024 after a battle with cancer. Dr. Nichols was a professor at Tennessee Temple University and served as president of the Independent Baptist School from 1991–1993. The 80-year-old educator is being remembered by friends and students.
Helen Hardin served as assistant to Congressmen Zach Wamp and Chuck Fleischmann; she graduated from Tennessee Temple in 1976. Ms. Hardin said, “Dr. Nichols was my psychology professor; he was a real person, very down to earth, interesting and engaging.
Dr. Nichols had the ability to bring his class alive with his unusual style of lecturing. He connected psychology with our Christian faith and I looked forward to his class every day.”
Tom Sneed has been general manager of WDYN for 33 years. Mr. Sneed said in 1991 he needed a job and went to see Dr. Nichols. Mr. Sneed said, “The station was undergoing some management changes and, after an interview, Dr. Nichols hired me. Dr. Nichols was very easy to work with.” Dr. Nichols, his brother Jack, and others put the station on the air in 1968. Mr. Sneed said, “The Lord used Buddy to hire good Christians who worked and taught in the school for years.”
Dr. Nichols, a Baptist, was good friends with Ben Haden, pastor of First Presbyterian Church for over 30 years. Both men would frequently enjoy breakfast together at Wallys on McCallie Avenue. Ben Haden said Dr. Nichols was proud of all TTU’s graduates, but had special interest in preachers and missionaries. He joked, “Buddy would make a good Presbyterian, and I wish he was on my staff.”
Rev. Brent Smith graduated from Tennessee Temple in 1987. The former Flintstone, Ga. Baptist Church pastor said, “Dr. Nichols could be described as 'Larger than Life' because he cared for us and was friends with just about everyone. Dr. Nichols was innovative, kind, generous and very helpful to us preacher boys. Just because he was Dr. Lee Roberson’s son-in-law, he never used that family tie to promote self. Dr. Nichols treated all students alike. I admired him as a man of character and conduct.” Rev. Smith now pastors the First Baptist Church in Davenport, Fla.
The late Marvin Easley said while he was WDYN Radio manager in the late 70s the two would often enjoy lunch together. Mr. Easley said, “Dr. Nichols was always willing to talk, he was very open and concerned about every student whether they were in his psychology classes or not.”
Charlie Edwards graduated from Tennessee Temple University and called Dr. Nichols “a very energetic leader.” Mr. Edwards said he came by plane to Chattanooga from Florida, not knowing Dr. Nichols. He said, “I ended up sitting next to him on the plane. Dr. Nichols was very friendly and welcomed me to the city and Tennessee Temple. We’ve talked a lot through the years and have remained friends to this day.”
Longtime TTU Librarian Kevin Woodruff said, “Dr. Nichols showed me much kindness in his time as a professor and as president. He will be missed.”
Dr. Henry Alan Benach said, “I owe a lot of my ministry to Dr. Buddy Nichols. It was Dr. Nichols who got me started on our ministry to Ukraine 34 years ago. God bless his memory.”
Receptionist Sonya Hanners Peria worked in Dr. Nichols office and said, “I loved him and Mrs. Nichols very much, they were a kind couple.”
“Dr. Nichols was my first Sunday School teacher in college and later we became colleagues as Liberty University online professors,” said Jim Nutter.
Sherri Livingston Taylor worked for Dr. Nichols when he was academic dean and sent condolences to his family. “He was very special,” said Ms. Taylor.
Polly Trachian was employed in public relations when Dr. Nichols became Tennessee Temple president. Ms. Trachian said she wrote the press releases for the newspapers. “I took them to his office and asked if he would like to read before releasing. I remember he said, 'No, I’m sure it will be fine.' ”
Marty O. Wynn said, “Dr. Nichols was a kind and encouraging man. He was a blessing to me during my time at TTU.”
In a WDYN Radio interview, Dr. Nichols said he met his first wife, Lee Anne Roberson, when he went to the registrar’s office to get a key to a storage building. Both were students at the time. He asked her for a date and they went to a Christmas in July program on campus. With the blessings of Dr. Lee Roberson, they were married in 1965. Lee Anne died in 2008 after a battle with cancer. The Nichols had two children, daughter, Caroline, and son, Robbie.
Dr. Nichols took pleasure in automobile racing and served as chaplain to many of the NASCAR drivers. He also enjoyed golf and had a miniature golf course in his back yard. Dr. Nichols said he and Highland Park Baptist Church Associate Pastor Dr. J.R. Faulkner would take an afternoon off and occasionally play at the Brainerd Golf Course. “Dr. Faulkner was a better golfer than me," said Dr. Nichols.
Dr. Nichols said Admiral Vance Fry and his wife introduced him to Delores Beery, an internationally known singer and music instructor at Lee University. They were married in 2012. Ms. Beery was also conductor of the Chattanooga Girls’ Choir. Together the couple wrote the book, “Glutten Conspiracy.” During their spare time the couple maintained a beautifully landscaped yard that has received national attention. Dr. Nichols said in the radio interview, “Delores and I hauled 60 tons of rock, mulch and topsoil; we really enjoy working in our yard together.”
Dr. Nichols served for many years as lay minister at the Tyner United Methodist Church. Longtime members Ralph and Margaret Pennington (both now deceased) said, “Dr. Nichols lived his Christianity every day. Our problems became his problems; he was never too busy to stop and pray and share the love of Christ.”
Arrangements are being handled by Chattanooga Funeral Home, East Chapel. A celebration of Dr. Nichols' life is being planned at the Tyner United Methodist Church.
Buddy's Family and Tom Sneed