June Ellen Nichols

June Ellen Nichols, age 90, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 24, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born on November 11, 1935, in Montgomery County, Maryland, June was the daughter of the late James Atwood Waugh and Ellen A. Johnson Waugh. She was the second of four children. Although June’s childhood was shaped by difficult family circumstances, those experiences helped make her the resilient, hardworking, and caring woman she became.

June graduated from Montgomery Blair High School in 1954 and later that summer, on August 21, 1954, she married the love of her life, Donald “Donnie” “Strag” Lee Nichols. The two met at a dance shortly after Donnie returned home from serving in the United States Army. They fell in love, dated for six months, and began a marriage that would span 68 beautiful years, building a life together filled with love, happiness, and lasting memories.

June worked at the Montgomery County Circuit Court for many years before retiring in 1989.

Family was the center of June’s life. She was a proud and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother who always put the people close to her first. She never missed a sporting event, school activity, or special milestone, always cheering on her children and grandchildren from the sidelines. To her daughter, Vicki, she wasn’t just her mother. She was her very best friend.

In her free time, June enjoyed planting flowers, shopping, and making holidays special. Christmas was her favorite. She took great joy in finding the perfect gift for everyone and couldn’t wait to see their faces when they opened them. Her family always smiled as she carried in bag after bag of gifts each year.

Her loved ones especially looked forward to her extra-thick brownies, her Thanksgiving stuffing, and her famous potato salad. The song, “Magalina Hagalina,” will always remind them of June happily singing it to her children and grandchildren throughout the years, no matter how old they were.

She also shared a special bond with her cherished dog, Max, who was her “baby.”

Nothing brought June greater fulfillment than caring for her family. Whether she was preparing for a holiday, cooking a favorite family meal, cheering from the stands, or simply being there whenever someone needed her, she made everyone she loved feel appreciated. The values she passed down will live on for generations to come.

In addition to her husband, Donnie, June was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, James Waugh and Donald Waugh.

She is survived by her son, Donald “Strag” Nichols Jr. and his wife, Karen; her daughter, Vicki Pickett and her husband, Neil; her grandchildren, Duane Pickett and Dana Pickett, Crystal Blake and her husband, Jason, and Chasity Harich and her husband, Jason; her great-grandchildren, Mariah Harris, Neil Pickett, Shyla Blake, Wylan Harich, and Dylan Harich; her great-great-grandchildren, Charlie and Ronan; and her beloved sister, Lois Lewis of Smithsburg, Maryland.

June will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Those who loved her will forever miss the kindness and care she gave so freely. Her warm heart, quiet strength, and bright smile will live on in those who knew her. She leaves behind many treasured memories, meaningful family traditions, and a legacy of love and dedication that will continue to be felt every Christmas, every Thanksgiving, and every time her family gathers together.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, July 30, 2026 from 11am to 12 pm at the Roy W. Barber Funeral Home, 21525 Laytonsville Rd., Laytonsville, MD 20882, where the funeral service will be held at 12pm. 

Interment will follow at Boyd’s Presbyterian Church Cemetery, where June will be laid to rest beside the love of her life.

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