Joy Nichols Bradshaw, 79, of Nacogdoches, formerly of Center, passed away Wednesday, June 10, 2026, in Cushing.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. Sister Melba Rodgers will officiate. Interment will follow at East Hamilton Cemetery in Shelbyville.

Born February 14, 1947, in Center, Joy is the daughter of Alton Nichols and Westerfield Wright Nichols. Joy loved all her children and family. She was always thinking about and praying for her family. She fought cancer for almost two years. She was not ready to leave us yet; however, she stated she was ready when God took her in His time. Joy was a strong believer in Jesus Christ and was always busy doing something. She loved to rake leaves, gather sticks, and burn them. Joy enjoyed cooking, shopping, and tending to her plants. Everything she did, she did for her family out of love. She had a heart of gold and she will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her daughters, Alice Eddins, Laurie Southerland, Lavina Kay Whiteside, and Patsy Vaughn; twelve grandchildren; twenty-six great grandchildren; seven great great grandchildren; and sister, Josephine Nichols.

Preceded in death by her son, Kenneth Lauried Baty; grandchildren, Tabatha Joy Risigner and Rebecca Risinger; parents, Alton “Buddy” Nichols and Westerfield Wright Nichols; brothers, “Bubbie” Nichols, J.C. Nichols, Robert “Bob” Nichols, and W.A. Nichols.

Pallbearers will be Colt Whiteside, Kyle Smith, David Whiteside, Joshua Southerland, and Trace Husband. Honorary pallbearer will be Jesse Nichols.