Carol Ann Nichols, 60, of Emlenton, Rockland Township, loving mother, wife, and her favorite title -- Grandma, or as her grandkids called her, "Maw," was called Home to her Heavenly Father to be reunited with the love of her life, Ken, on Sunday, July 30, 2017. 

                She was born December 15, 1956 in Oil City to Shirley A. (Mason) Rodibaugh and the late Robert J. Rodibaugh, Sr.

                Mrs. Nichols was a member of the Oil City V.F.W.; and was employed at Wal-Mart in Cranberry.  She was of the catholic faith. 

                Carol adored her kids and grandkids, always taking them to Bob Evans, her favorite place to eat, as well as on many other adventures.  She enjoyed above all things being a mom and a grandma to her own, as well as countless others. 

                She enjoyed camping, traveling, visiting different wineries, doing anything with her family, taking mini-trips with her sisters and close friends, gardening, shopping, and attending anything that her grandkids participated in.  She did her best to never miss anything.

                She was married in Franklin on November 27, 1975 to Kenneth E. Nichols, Sr., and he preceded her in death on August 23, 2013.

                Carol leaves behind four heartbroken children: Liza Manross and her husband Jerry, Ken Nichols Jr. and his wife Amanda, James Nichols and his wife Stacey, and Brittney Nichols, all of Kennerdell; eleven devastated grandchildren: Dasan, Dakotah, and Dallas Manross, Zach, Zoey, Zander, and Zaylee Nichols, Kelsey and Kayden Nichols, and Mavrick and Maddix Webster. 

                Also surviving is her mother, Shirley Ann Rodibaugh; four sisters, Barb Heckathorn, Sharon Norris, Catherine Rodibaugh, and Mary VanWormer; two brothers, Robert and Bill Rodibaugh; five sisters-in-law, whom she considered her sisters, Linda White, Becky Davenport, Taresa Baker, Imogene Edmonds, and Nancy Alcorn; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and 'honorary' children and grandchildren.

                Carol was preceded in death by her husband, Ken, the love of her life whom she missed terribly for four long years; her father, Robert J. Rodibaugh, Sr.; an infant brother, Richard; seven brothers-in-law: Harold and Ray Nichols, Charles White, Lee Davenport, Frank Alcorn, Carl Caldwell, and Roy Edmonds; and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Daniel and Mable Nichols. 

                Friends and family will be received Wednesday (Aug. 2) from 2 - 4 and 6 - 8 p.m. in the Hile-Best Funeral Home, 2781 Rte. 257 in Seneca, Cranberry Township, where a funeral service will be held Thursday (Aug. 3) at 2 p.m. with Rev. John L. Miller, priest at St. Stephen Roman Catholic Church in Oil City, officiating.  Interment will follow in Rockland Cemetery. 

              Memorial contributions may be made to the Kenneth E. Nichols Memorial Fund, c/o Franklin-Oil Region Credit Union, 101 N. 13th St., Franklin, PA  16323.  In memory of Ken, the Nichols family holds a memorial car cruise each year, with proceeds donated to local community and youth organizations. 

                Condolences may be expressed to Carol's family online by visiting www.hilebest.com

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