Vanelder Robinson Nichols is a native Mississippian, and a product of Tunica and Coahoma counties. She started her education at Brown School, a one room school, housed in West Lake Baptist Church. Later, a vacant house across the field from the church became Brown School (Grades 1-8). Grades 4 through 9 were completed at Bonnie Blue and Lula Jr. High Schools. She furthered her education: Coahoma Agricultural High; Coahoma Jr. College; Los Angeles City College; Delta State University (Bachelor of Science in Education); Le Moyne Owen College (Bachelor of Arts); Jacksonville Theological Seminary (Master and Doctorate Degrees in Theology).

She presently resides in Memphis, TN with her husband. She is the mother of three, grandmother of four, and great-grandmother of three. She retired after a 39-year tenure of teaching Elementary Education and Elementary Art. Currently, she continues to paint and is one of the Pastor Assistants at The Fellowship of Believers in Christ Church.