1990
Alexis
2016
Alexis Nichols
October 6, 1990 — February 3, 2016
Alexis Bailee Nichols, 25, passed away unexpectedly at her home February 3, 2016. Known affectionately as Ali or Alexa to her friends and family, she came into this world fighting on October 6, 1990, and continued to be a fighter all her life. Diagnosed with schizophrenia in her teens, she faced the struggles of the disease with courage and aplomb, despite the sadness and frustration it sometimes brought her. She made her life a fabulous adventure she thoroughly enjoyed, even when life brought her battles that a lot of people wouldn’t have the courage to fight.
Alexis was quick with a smile, and never met a stranger. From the moment she was born, Alexis had the sweetest disposition those who knew her had ever known. She simply loved people. She loved animals. If she could have gotten an intelligible response from a tree or a flower, she would have numbered them among her friends as well. Everyone was someone to say “Hi” to, everyone was someone she wanted to know, and if she possibly could, to help. She was a true delight to her family and friends, holding a wide-eyed wonder at the world around her. She wanted to know things. She wanted to grow, and learn, and do. She had a fast, quirky sense of humor that shown through all her difficulties, even when she may not have felt like being funny or happy.
She loved children as well, and often played with her younger nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She delighted in the outdoors, and particularly loved the water. Give her a swimming pool and a bathing suit, and you would have no doubt where to find her at family gatherings. She loved the desert, the mountains, and the ocean. Any place new and different,that presented challenges and excitement suited Alexis to a “t”.
Alexis was a Blue Valley High School alumnus, and had always expressed a desire for a career as a medical doctor or social worker. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Richard L. and Jean Nichols, Bethany, Missouri. She is survived by her mother, Gayla J. Smith; her father, Mike L. Nichols and his wife Elizabeth Nichols; her brother, Christopher B. Nichols, her maternal grandparents, Wayne “E” and Rosane Smith;, aunts Jackie Hill with spouse Dave Hill, Jeanie Smith, all of Overland Park; her uncle, Kevin E. Nichols and her aunt, Nancy Nichols both of Bethany, Missouri; aunt and uncle Kelly and Alan Blinzler, Overland Park; uncle and aunt Keith and Chris Connelly, Fairview, California, step-sisters Jennifer Wade (and Bradley, her spouse), Mission, Kansas; Jessica Foster (and spouse Jerad), Prairie Village, Kansas; stepbrothers Jonathan Edwards, Overland Park; Richard Edwards and Joseph Edwards, Gladstone, Missouri. Also surviving are a host of cousins, step-nieces, step-nephews and friends.
Visitation is from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Monday, February 8, 2016, at the Overland Park & Johnson County Chapel, 11200 Metcalf, Overland Park. A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 9, 2016, also at Overland Park & Johnson County Chapel. Interment will be at Pleasant Valley Cemetery, 9501 West 159th Street, Overland Park, immediately after the service Tuesday.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Mental Health America of Heartland’s education and information fund, promoting the understanding and accepting of those with mental illness.
Alexis was quick with a smile, and never met a stranger. From the moment she was born, Alexis had the sweetest disposition those who knew her had ever known. She simply loved people. She loved animals. If she could have gotten an intelligible response from a tree or a flower, she would have numbered them among her friends as well. Everyone was someone to say “Hi” to, everyone was someone she wanted to know, and if she possibly could, to help. She was a true delight to her family and friends, holding a wide-eyed wonder at the world around her. She wanted to know things. She wanted to grow, and learn, and do. She had a fast, quirky sense of humor that shown through all her difficulties, even when she may not have felt like being funny or happy.
She loved children as well, and often played with her younger nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She delighted in the outdoors, and particularly loved the water. Give her a swimming pool and a bathing suit, and you would have no doubt where to find her at family gatherings. She loved the desert, the mountains, and the ocean. Any place new and different,that presented challenges and excitement suited Alexis to a “t”.
Alexis was a Blue Valley High School alumnus, and had always expressed a desire for a career as a medical doctor or social worker. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Richard L. and Jean Nichols, Bethany, Missouri. She is survived by her mother, Gayla J. Smith; her father, Mike L. Nichols and his wife Elizabeth Nichols; her brother, Christopher B. Nichols, her maternal grandparents, Wayne “E” and Rosane Smith;, aunts Jackie Hill with spouse Dave Hill, Jeanie Smith, all of Overland Park; her uncle, Kevin E. Nichols and her aunt, Nancy Nichols both of Bethany, Missouri; aunt and uncle Kelly and Alan Blinzler, Overland Park; uncle and aunt Keith and Chris Connelly, Fairview, California, step-sisters Jennifer Wade (and Bradley, her spouse), Mission, Kansas; Jessica Foster (and spouse Jerad), Prairie Village, Kansas; stepbrothers Jonathan Edwards, Overland Park; Richard Edwards and Joseph Edwards, Gladstone, Missouri. Also surviving are a host of cousins, step-nieces, step-nephews and friends.
Visitation is from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Monday, February 8, 2016, at the Overland Park & Johnson County Chapel, 11200 Metcalf, Overland Park. A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 9, 2016, also at Overland Park & Johnson County Chapel. Interment will be at Pleasant Valley Cemetery, 9501 West 159th Street, Overland Park, immediately after the service Tuesday.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Mental Health America of Heartland’s education and information fund, promoting the understanding and accepting of those with mental illness.
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