Bertha “Bert” Madelyn Twiggs Nichols, 89, peacefully departed this life on April 21, 2021. She was born in Ruther Glen, Virginia, on April 13, 1932 to the late Phillip Twiggs and VeEtta Rebecca Burruss Twiggs.

Bert as she was fondly called was educated in the Caroline County Public Schools; she was a graduate of Union High School; Milford, Virginia. She worked for the Federal Government in various departments as a Technical Illustrator and Cartographic Technician Engineering Draftsman, Geological Survey Mapping Division for the United States Department of Interior for 20 years. She worked as a Negative Engraver and Artistic Lithographer for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Department of Commerce for 15 years. After retiring from the United States Government, she returned to school to become a Certified Nurse Assistant.

She was married to the late Sydney Gifford Garner. To this union they had three sons Mark, Terry and Troy.

She later married Nathaniel “Spike” Nichols and moved to Ruther Glen, Virginia. She was a member of Second Baptist Church; Ruther Glen, Virginia. She was a member of the Willing Workers, Missionary Committee, Gospel Choir, Co-Chaired the 100th Church Anniversary Commemorative Book 2001, Pastoral Care Ministry. Bert was a champion volunteer for various Veteran organizations.

She leaves to cherish her memories sons Mark (EV) of Ruther Glen, Virginia; Terry (Chiquetta) of Upper Marlboro, Maryland; Troy (Maria) of Waldorf, Maryland; 13 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; two sister-in-law’s Gloria Murray of Wallingford, Connecticut; Shirley Twiggs of Ruther Glen, Virginia; one brother-in-law Duval Garner of Baltimore, Maryland and a host of nieces, nephews and relatives. She is preceded in death by her husband Nathaniel “Spike” Nichols, granddaughters Samantha Garner Jones and Shameka Pratt-Jackson.