Gracie “Juanita” Nichols, 92 years old, passed peacefully to her eternal home on Friday, May 15, 2026 surrounded by her family.

Juanita was born in Chipley, Florida on September 22, 1933 to T.J. and Eary Johns. She was the oldest of seven children; Eara Mae Johns, David Johns, Ann Hagans, Geraldine Hamilton, and Angus Johns. Her childhood was filled with many adventures from learning how to fish and drive a car at a very young age from her dad to learning how to cook, sew, clean house, and take care of children from her mother.

When she was 8 years old, her family moved from Chipley to Lynn Haven, Florida where her daddy opened a cleaning plant and movie theater. As a young girl, she helped with the family businesses while working at home to help her mother with all the younger siblings. Her younger brothers and sisters often referred to her as their second mother instead of one of their siblings.

She attended Lynn Haven Elementary in those early days and graduated from Bay High School in 1952 where she was voted “Best Dressed” by her peers. She volunteered at Bay Medical as a “Candy Stripe” girl during high school instilling her desire to one day work in the medical field.

She would drive dirt roads from their farm near Econfina Creek to work at the Martin Theater. Sitting in the ticket booth selling movie tickets, she met her first love, Christian Edwin Klinck, a young airman stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base. After a few dates and several movies, he proposed to her while sharing a footlong hotdog at Jimmy’s Drive-in. They were married September 27, 1952. Military life would allow this young Florida girl the opportunity to live in Texas, Wyoming, Nevada, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Juanita worked in Civil Service while Chris served our country in the U.S. Air Force. They were blessed with two children, Christian Edwin III, and Sally Ann.

At 32, Juanita went back to school to become a nurse, a career she had always felt called to. In 1971, her first love, Chris, would pass away after 19 years of marriage. She and her children moved back to Panama City to be near to her family. She began working at Forest Park Medical Clinic for a young doctor, T. Frank Syfrett. The two of them set up his medical practice and she worked for him for 12 years before retiring in 1983.

She was very active In St. Andrew Baptist Church after returning to Panama City. She was a volunteer in the youth department where many fondly remember her as “Momma Klinck.” She was the nurse on multiple youth trips and mission projects. Later she would teach a ladies Bible Study for over 20 years developing many close friendships and creating precious memories with these special ladies.

At St. Andrew Baptist is where she would meet the next love of her life, Charles Nichols, a handsome widower with three children, Jack, Gary, and Karen. They married on October 9, 1976. They were married 48 years before her “Charlie” passed away on October 3, 2024.

Juanita was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, her beloved husbands, and three special grandsons, Robert Klinck, Aaron Nichols, and Jonathan Roberts. She is survived by her five children, Jack Nichols (Mary), Chris Klinck (Patti), Sally Gentili (David), Gary Nichols (Marabeth), and Karen Hendrickson (Dave), 13 grandchildren, and 16 great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Juanita’s greatest joy and treasure was her family. She was so proud of each member and you didn’t have to be around her long before she was either showing you her latest pictures and telling you about their recent adventures. She spent the last few years of her life at Mathison Retirement Community where she renewed old friendships and made new friends. The family will always be grateful to the staff and special caregivers that became part of her family. We would also like to thank the special ladies at Emerald Coast Hospice who provided the most loving care this past week.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Wilson Funeral Home. Interment will follow the service at the Lynn Haven Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2:00 -3:00 prior to the service.