Sarah Ellen Tuston

After a long and courageous fight, Sarah Ellen Nichols-Tuston, 85, of Salisbury slipped from life into eternal rest on Sunday, June 14, 2015 at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, MD. Sarah was born in Mardela Springs, MD. She was the third of twelve children and the first girl of seven born to the late William Irving Nichols, Sr. and Louella Bethina Dashiell-Nichols. On November 23, 1951, she was joined in Holy Matrimony to her husband, Otto Decatur Tuston who preceded her in death on June 27, 2009. Sarah began her formal education at Mardela and Sharptown Elementary School. She furthered her education and graduated from Salisbury High School, Class of 1948. After graduation, she matriculated and graduated from Apex Beauty School in Philadelphia, PA. Sarah practiced her beauty skills on many of her family members and was employed at Rachel’s Beauty Shop, San Domingo, MD. She was also employed at Phillips Packing Company in Cambridge, MD, Bill’s Seafood Inn and Wicomico Hotel, both in Salisbury, MD. Sarah worked and retired from Drug Fair which was later Rite Aid after 27 years of service. Sarah had a jovial spirit and could brighten your day with her smile. Throughout her illness, she maintained her sense of humor and always tried to make those around her feel better. Her deep love and devotion to her family was constant and strong. Sarah was a devoted member of John Wesley United Methodist Church in Mardela Springs, MD where she joined at an early age. She was Director of the Youth and Sunday School Transportation Ministry. She was the president of the Usher Board and Choir. Sarah pioneered the Vacation Bible School on the Zion Charge. She was a member of the Communion Stewards, was a Worship Leader, Chairman of the Nichols-Williams and Coulbourne Day and Family and Friends Day. Sarah was one of the “Seven Nichols Sisters Gospel Singing Group” and later “The Nichols Sisters and Family Gospel Singing Group” where she served as manager for over 55 of their 64 years providing the gospel in song. She and her late husband, Otto, were also, during the beginning years, “Official Chauffeurs,” to the sisters’ many singing engagements because they were too young to drive. Sarah and Otto had a four door car and would pack us all in “no seat belts as in today” and carry us to churches – north, east, south or west – any time of the week that we were called to sing God’s Praises. Even though she had no children of her own, she was a “mother” to many! She and Otto’s home was the families “Grand Central Station”, you could always stop by. Sarah donated faithfully to the Veteran’s Association and St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Sarah leaves to cherish fond memories, her son “Stealer” the pet, one grand-daughter, Angela (Trent) Holland; great grandchildren, Tyree and Tyyanna Holland all from Virginia Beach; three brothers, Rev. Dr. Hugh C. Nichols (Pastor Wanda), Mardela Springs, MD, Gregory and Rev. Lucille Nichols, Trappe, MD, Wayne (Carol) Nichols, Snow Hill, MD; five sisters, Christina Jones, Salisbury, MD, Betty (James) Stewart, Delmar, MD, Joyce (Robert) Batson, Rhodesdale, MD, Phyllis Bivens, Chance, MD, Rev. Janice Austin, Camden, DE, a devoted niece and care giver, Melanie Bivens-Purnell; a God Daughter, Tanya Batson; “Baby Daughter” as she was called, Tyronna Davis and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents and husband, Sarah was preceded in death by her daughter, Arletha Dilday; two brothers William, Jr. and Louis Nichols; one sister Joan Church; brothers-in-law Samuel Church, Robert Bivens and Rev. Joseph Austin; sisters-in-law Dora Nichols, Ellen Rae Nichols and Evangelist Ella Mae Nichols; and nephews Gary Nichols, Robert “Bobby” Bivens, Jr., Robert “Pumpkin” Batson, Jr. and Andrew “Teddy” Nichols. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sarah Ellen Tuston, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Sarah Ellen Tuston

January 12, 1930 - June 14, 2015