She grew up in this charming Southern town, studying music, reading books and graduated as the Valedictorian and President of her class. In college, Phyllis majored in English with a minor in music, graduating with highest honors from Valdosta State University. She continued her education at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, receiving a Masters degree in music and was named the President’s Scholar from the School of Music.
After several years of teaching English, piano and voice, Phyllis joined her husband, G. William Nichols, Ph.D., and a group to found KALEIDOSCOPE Network, Inc., a national cable television network featuring health and disability programming. From 1989 until her retirement in 2000, Phyllis served as its Chief Operating Officer. As a member of the executive team, she managed KALEIDOSCOPE’s Congressional Advisory Board and its 240-member National Advisory Board of the nation’s largest health organizations (i.e.—American Heart Association, American Lung Association, America Cancer, Juvenile Diabetes). During her years with KALEIDOSCOPE, Phyllis met many interesting people—politicians, celebrities, and leaders in the disability movement. She learned the stories of fascinating individuals with disabilities as she became their friend.
Even during her career as a businesswoman, Phyllis continued to use her creative and musical gifts. Phyllis has been a recording and concert artist appearing for state conventions, conferences, civic groups and churches. She has performed as soprano soloist in major oratorios. As a composer, Phyllis writes and arranges original songs and has written four children’s musical dramas. She has created a series of half-hour musical monologues that she delivers Victor Borge-style from the piano bench. These entertaining, humorous and philosophical monologues give Phyllis opportunity to express her faith, her joy, and her thoughts about life with her yarns and stories, with her homespun humor, and with the gentility and voice of a true Southern woman.
Phyllis spends her time now writing, serving her church, doing short-term missions, and serving on numerous boards and advisory boards.
Phyllis and her husband, Bill, make their home in Boerne, TX where they enjoy the arts, traveling, reading, writing, and spending time with interesting people. The Nichols have two married daughters and three grandchildren.
