NB38: Forty Nine & Fabulous

Introducing: BRIANNA D. NICHOLS, BRENDA's daughter who is NOW A DELTA GIRL!

DAUGHTER BRIANNA ATTENDS HOMECOMING 2014

BRIANNA NICHOLS CONTINUES A DELTA LEGACY!

CONGRATULATIONS TO BRIANNA NICHOLS, the newest member of DELTA SIGMA THETA, Inc, the beloved sorority of her mother and our line sister, BRENDA L. NICHOLS. Let's welcome her daughter, our daughter, Brianna, the Alpha Gamma Way. 

NB38 Line Sister, Carliss, has been in communication with BRIANNA and reported as follows:

"Brianna's line number is 3AL13.  She recently crossed the burning sands at North Carolina Central University, Alpha Lampda Chapter.  Her aunt was there to pin her unfortunately at the time she did not have Brenda's pin but has since found it.  Brianna is a Political Science major, English writing minor.  She is really a sweet young lady.  I have really enjoyed chatting with her."

Carliss had me create a NB38 t-shirt customized for Brenda which she has sent to Brianna as a gift from her.  For others who wish to personally mail or email best wishes or gifts.  Brianna's contact information is as follows:

Brianna Nichols
1400 East Cornwallis Road
Apt 322 B
Durham, NC 27713
919 539-5498

briannadnichols@gmail.com
Birth Date:  May 25

So let's congratulate, embrace, watch and pray over our young sister.  What a blessing to have Brianna now amongst us as a part of our sorority where we can keep her close within our family and a part of of our lives.

COMMENTS FROM BRIANNA....

"It meant so much to me that I was able to cross the burning sands exactly 40 years after my mother and the rest of you all did and I am sure that you all's celebration for her was amazing. FInding you all's website meant so much to me especially since I had never seen any pictures of my mother as a Delta before discovering the website."

NB38 PROMISE REMINDER!

One of the promises made during our NB38 October 40th Line Celebration was for each of us to stay in communication with one another.  The NB38 website will remain open until further notice so post birthday greetings, get well wishes, congratulations or have Cassandra make announcements. Let's stay in touch so that we never lose another of us without making an effort or taking the time to say hello, I'm praying for you or just wanted you to know I was thinking about you! 

In Remembrance from BRENDA's "Alpha Gamma Chapter"

TRIBUTE from VERA DIANE FIELDS CHESLEY

Brenda Nichols: Small but Mighty!

I met Brenda Nichols my first day at Morgan State College (University) in September 1970.She was hanging out in Sally Cherry’s room in Harper House. Sally was my home girl from the Eastern Shore. I, unfortunately, lived in Tubman, right by the dorm mother’s office so I spent as much time as I could in Harper House!

We hit it off right away. Brenda was the short girl from Roxboro, North Carolina with the big eyes and big smile to match! She was quite polite until someone made her mad. Then she would put her hand on her hip, point her right index finger straight at you and bat her eyes while she laid you out! Remember now, she was all of 5 feet! She didn’t care how big or tall you were! She would make sure you knew she was talking to you.

One day Brenda and I were walking across the bridge, coming from the gym on our way to get something to eat. Well, a football player named James Brown and his buddy; I can’t remember his name, decided that I needed to be picked up and held over the bridge. Now keep in mind I had been going down the steps on the side of the bridge for several weeks, taking my chances in the traffic on Cold Spring Lane so I would not be on the bridge when James was on it. For some reason he had taken a liken to me out of all the freshmen girls that year! That particular day, James was nowhere to be seen, so I told Brenda we were safe to cross the bridge. As we proceeded, who gets on it from the opposite end but James Brown! I was almost in the middle of the bridge and was going to turn around and go play in traffic again but Brenda said we had just as much right on the bridge as he did! So there we go, me less than 102 pounds and Brenda barely 5 feet! We were going to cross that bridge together. James and his pal swooped me up and hung me over the bridge! They each thought they had me in their grip when actually neither really did. I screamed to Brenda that I was slipping and that they didn’t really have me! Well, somehow Brenda got in front of James and grabbed part of my arm and was holding on for dear life all the while screaming at James that they had to put me back down on the bridge. I guess her screaming finally got to him and he lifted me back over and put me down. Of course, I couldn’t talk but that Brenda Nichols was still fussing at James! I wanted her to stop because I was afraid they might try to hang her over the bridge but thank God they didn’t want to mess with that little she cat anymore! Years later, Brenda and I were able to laugh about how little old Brenda Nichols backed those big football players down!

Brenda and I later became roommates on Pilgrim Road and Druid Hill Avenue and even though I pledged AKA and she pledged Delta, we were still sisters in our hearts.

The last time I saw Brenda was in 1984. She came to visit me in Suitland, Maryland. We had a great time that visit and promised we would see each other again. Sadly, that never happened again. We lost touch through the years but I often wondered where she was and how she was doing. I was so hurt when I heard she had passed on but I have lots of wonderful memories of our time together. I will never forget her smile and the way she would bat her eyes when she talked. She was so cute when she did that!

Rest peacefully, my sister. You are so deserving of that!

With deepest sympathy and love,

Diane Fields Chesley, 10AD’73, AKA, MSU, Class of ‘74

Poem to Our #2 by Sharon "Shea" Morris Webb

Brenda Laverne Nichols

In college we roomed and explored our new world.

We enjoyed new experiences,

and met our fun loving girl.

Brenda the "smart" one, with science always on her mind,

Always gave her best,

and gladly invested her time.

She worried about those, she cared and trust.

To understand Brenda,

Knowing this was a must.

She was very protective of those on her team.

With a giving heart,

Brenda reigned supreme

On line she is remembered, for her sheepish grin.

You'd know by her devilish look,

that she did something again.

Or she forgot, or just did not do a task assigned.

But because of her sincere heart, wicked sense of humor

and spirited smile,

One could only be upset with her,

just for a little while.

She always kept in touch, and would bring you up to date

Talking about her baby girl

and the mentored kids positive fate.

Brenda Laverne Nichols, see you later number two.

You've done all that was assigned here, for you to do.

We know that you are at peace and had to depart.

Your Delta Sisters miss you and hold you dear,

in each and every heart.

BRENDA's OBITUARY

BRENDA "BUG" NICHOLS, 2ag73 passes at the age of 60.

BRENDA LAVERNE NICHOLS
1952-2013
Raleigh

Brenda Laverne Nichols, age 60, of Raleigh, NC, died Friday, February 22, 2013 at her residence.

Brenda was born September 12, 1952 in Roxboro, NC to the late James Earl Nichols and Bernice Mangum Nichols. She graduated from Morgan State University in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She was a retired employee of the State of North Carolina.

She is survived by her only daughter, Brianna D. Nichols; four brothers, James E. Nichols Jr., Jerry D. Nichols, Billy M. Nichols and Orlando M. Nichols; and one sister, Joyce A. Robinson.  She was predeceased by her sisters, Nancy C. Desroe and Esther M. Chapman.

Her visitation and memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 2, 2013 at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 831 Wake Forest Road in Raleigh, NC.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to the Sarcoma Foundation of America.

DENISE MOTLEY JOHNSTON shares her thoughts and memories  of BRENDA.


GOOD EVENING SORORS,

I pray this email finds you all well, emotionally, spiritually and financially at peace. Thank you to Carliss and DeeDee for reaching out to me on February 9th and 11th to try to find Brenda Laverne Nichols here in Raleigh. On February 10th I called the listed phone number in the white pages and it was no longer in service.  I then called North Carolina state government, where I knew she last worked and they would not give me any information. That same day I mailed a letter to Brenda's last known address, but did not receive a response. That being said, my silent prayer was that she had moved back home to Roxboro with her beautiful daughter, Brianna and had an unlisted number. Well... As we have learned that was not the case...instead she went HOME.

In reflection, I recall having Brenda and Brianna at our home in Cary NC for dinner on two occasions in 2007 and 2008. She wanted my daughter Alanna to be a big sister to Brianna. They connected and Brenda and I reminisced  about college and pledging days, but most important, we talked about the twists and turns our life journeys had taken us on. She made it clear that her life was devoted to her daughter and she did not have time for "mindless chatter"... as she called it.  How true that is. She exuded a peaceful, yet anxious spirit because she was raising Brianna alone and striving to be the best Mommie she could. As a single parent she was struggling financially, as many of us at some point in life do, so I helped her when I could. We would talk occasionally after that, but Brianna was involved in a lot of school and extracurricular activities, which took a lot of her time, and I totally understood. Brianna is quite outgoing and meets no strangers. Well,  Bren's phone number changed and we did not talk again...but the memories of the time we spent will always speak to me, fondly.

Once I moved a few miles away to Raleigh, I would cross paths with local Sorors who knew Brenda and I asked them to give her my new address. I admired her conviction and commitment to Brianna, and I wish all of you could have seen and witnessed her devotion and love. She knew where her heart was and gave it totally. I did not know she was sick or had passed, but this is not about me. I do  know the life which I saw Brenda living during that space God gifted us with was one where she was living just as she wanted, and as God planned. Death does not make us rethink, but how we live life does.

Brenda, aka, Bug, as I remember her, was simple, yet living in a complex world...as we all do. I have learned to live and speak my truth. In my estimation, Brenda spoke her truth, and lived her life with love. We are all on a different life path, but our destination is the same.... Brenda has arrived at the ultimate destination, waiting for us to complete the Master's plan... There is always a lesson to be learned. I pray we all go to the head of the class. The onus is not on those who are struggling, lonely, or alone to reach out to us, but upon us to stretch our hearts with genuine concern, and pull them into the fold of our friendship and sisterhood.

Stay true to yourself and love hard, kindly. I am sure Brenda would say to us to continue working in the garden wherein God has planted many seeds for each of us to sow.  Time waits for no one! Lord willing (and the creek don't rise), I will see you in July! :-)

Peace and sisterly Love,

Denise

#2 AG 73 NEW BIRTH 38

NEW BIRTH 38 Loses One of Their Own

NEW BIRTH 38 LINE SISTERS:

IT IS WITH MUCH SADNESS AND REGRET T O INFORM YOU THAT WE HAVE NOW LOST ONE OF OUR OWN, LINE #2, BRENDA LAVERNE NICHOLS. 

IF YOU'VE READ OUR ANNOUNCEMENTS, BRENDA  IS ONE OF THE FOUR LINE SISTERS YOUR OUTREACH LEADS HAD BEEN WORKI NG SO HARD TO FIND. CARLISS THE

MSU ALUMNI NEWSLETTER AND SAW IN THE NECROLOGY SECTION THAT A BRENDA NICHOLS, CLASS OF '75, DECEASED ON 2/22/13.  SHE PRAYED THAT IT WAS NOT OUR SOROR.  SHE SENT MOTLEY A FACEBOOK MESSAGE TO SEE WHAT SHE COULD FIND OUT....BUT OUR FIERCELESS OUTREACH COORDINATOR DECIDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THE OBITUARY BELOW.

HOPING THIS WAS NOT BRENDA EVEN AFTER WE BOTH READ THE OBITUARY.  AFTER SUCCESSFULLY GETTING ARLENE TO HOMECOMING AFTER 30 YEARS, WE OFTEN TALKED ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE COULD NOT FIND BRENDA OR THE FACT THAT SHE NEVER TRIED TO CONNECT WITH US.  I FOR ONE  WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HAVE GOTTEN THAT ONE LAST HUG, TO HEAR THAT CRAZY LAUGH OF HERS, TO SPEND SOME TIME CATCHING UP AFTER 40 YEARS.  BUT THAT IS NOT TO BE AND NOW THAT GOAL TO GET ALL 38 BACK TOGETHER AGAIN WILL BE ALL BUT A DREAM FOR THERE IS NOW A SISTER WHO WILL NO LONGER STAND BETWEEN CRIS AND PATRICIA AT THE FRONT OF OUR LINE. 

AS YOU ALL KNOW THE ARLENE, CARLISS , BRENDA AND I  WERE HOUSEMATES & ROOMATES DURING OUR JUNIOR AND SENIOR YEARS.  WE STARTED OUT AS FRESHMEN AT HARPER HOUSE AND THE FRIENDSHIP AND SISTERHOOD LASTED AND WE OFTEN TALKED ABOUT PLEDGING DELTA TOGETHER.   WE SHARED A LOT TOGETHER,  THE GOOD AND BAD TIMES, THE LAUGHS, THE CRIES, THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS; AND THE DEFEATS. WE LIFTED ONE ANOTHER UP AND DELTA MADE THAT BOND STRONGER.   I COULDN'T GO TO WORK WITHOUT GETTING THIS OFF MY HEART.

I REMEMBER SPEAKING TO BRENDA BRIEFLY IN 2003 WHEN AFTER SEARCHING FOR SOME TIME, I REMEMBER BEING SO EXCITED! 

REST IN PEACE BRENDA, MY FRIEND, YOUR LINE SISTER & SOROR ALWAYS!
CASSANDRA

Norma Jean, Cassandra, Carliss, Faith & Brenda

Brenda and Kitty

The Front 5: Cris, Brenda, Pat & Hoy (Missing Carliss)

Brenda, Arlene, Mrytle, Sally & Cassandra

ARLENE prays for her LINE SISTERS and her old friend and roommate, BRENDA

Hello all;

My heart is just – torn – Brenda – the one, as Cassandra said – that always seemed to be a little detached from it all has now retreated into the horizons of heaven.  Dear God – I thank you for this day – I thank you even for having a sisterhood on this side of the river that helps us in our joys and sorrows.  Father, as we look to thee to watch over Brenda – please Father – give her the joy – the hope – the rest – that seemed to elude her on Earth.  We attest that we don’t understand it all – but we stand at the throne of grace knowing that we serve an awesome, loving GOD.  We are convinced that You will explain it all by and by.  We love You GOD – even in this sad moment.  Thank you Father – for the brief time that we knew Brenda– knowing that she enriched our lives even in those four short  years.  We love you – we Praise you – we honor you.  In Jesus name we pray.  So be it.

Thank you Cassandra for – well – being you.  Thank you Carly Coop for your relentless outreach for Brenda – thank you my dear sisters for allowing me to be a part of your wonderful Christian sisterhood.  See you guys at homecoming.

Shalom,

Arlene