Sister Gwendolyn Gooden Nichols passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 18, 2025, after recently celebrating her 83rd birthday with visits from a host of family and friends. Born on September 13, 1942, to the late Annie Bell Hunter and Louis Gooden in Birmingham, Alabama, Gwen was a graduate of Parker High School and a pillar of the Collegeville community.

She completed Birmingham's School of Practical Nursing, specializing in drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Gwen practiced in Alabama, Georgia, Texas, and in South America (Panama Canal Zone). She retired from Jefferson County Nursing Home, Keytona, in 2001.

Through her union with Bill McKinney, they had three children: Bill McKinney, Jr., Rory McKinney, and Montrese M. Vason; and with her sister's passing (Geraldine Prince), Bill and Gwen welcomed her children, Faith Jordan, Eric Johnson, and Reggie Johnson, into the family as they came to live with them.  She later married James Nichols Jr.

Gwen was called to Christ at an early age and was a dedicated member of Douglasville Methodist Church, Collegeville, and later joined 25th Avenue Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Lonnie Hughes (deceased).

While Gwen never met a stranger, she made lifelong friends with Rosa (Billie) Hill, Patrinella Brown, Kim McKenzie, Zatie Mae Kemp, Diane Naylor, Yusef Omar, and her neighbors at Cherry Ridge Apartments. These special bonds of friendship sustained her in her golden years. As she returned to North Hill Rehabilitation in 2023 as a resident, her relationship with Diane Naylor further flourished.

Gwen's loving siblings, Geraldine Prince and Ethel Small, preceded her in death. Left to cherish her memory are brother, Reverend Louis Gooden, Jr. (Teresa); sons, Billy (Cassandra) and Rory; daughter, Montrese; grandchildren Mecie, Eric, Chris, Julian, Krissy, Raven, Dre, and Quinten; great-grandchildren TJ, CJ, Camden, Isaiah, Maddi, Mia, Jalah, and Qourtney; and a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins, family members, and friends.