Funeral services for Mrs. Madeliene "Madge" Nichols, age 86, of Gary, TX, will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011, at Eastside Baptist Church with Bro. Dale Walker and Dr. P.A. DuBose officiating under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Gary Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Mrs. Nichols passed away on Tuesday morning, Aug. 16, 2011, in Carthage.

Myrtie Madeliene "Madge" Smith Nichols was born on Oct. 1, 1924, in Gary, TX to Henry Jack and Alice Jewel Ritter Smith. She graduated from Gary High School with the class of 1941. Mrs. Nichols served her country in W.A.V.E.S. during WWII and was stationed at Kingsville Naval Air Station where she met and married Gunnery Sgt. William F. "Nick" Nichols on June 1, 1945. Together they shared 57 years of marriage until he preceded her in death on Feb. 4, 2002. The family resided in Nederland 1954-1979, where she was a member of the O.E.S. Chapter 1079, serving as Worthy Matron from 1976-1977. Upon Nick's retirement, they returned to Gary, where she once again became a member of the Eastside Baptist Church community. Mrs. Nichols was also a member of the O.E.S. Chapter #747 in Carthage. She was active in her community having served as the secretary/treasurer for the Ladies Community Club in Gary, was a committee member for the Gary School Annual Roundup and their scholarship program, served on the Gary Cemetery Committee, and participated in the organization of the Tex Ritter Museum. Mrs. Nichols loved playing canasta, 42, dominos, bowling, and watching the Dallas Cowboys. She was also preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Paul and Buron Smith; and two half-brothers, Leonard and Albert Smith.

Mrs. Nichols is survived by one son, Jerry Nichols and wife Cathy of Port Neches; one daughter, Fredna Nichols of Gary; one sister, Irene Campbell of Tenaha; one two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Smith of Lumberton and Mildred Greenroyd of Amarillo; two grandchildren, Dayna Withers and husband Wyatt of Buna and Lauren Nichols of Groves; and three great-grandchildren, Addison, Emerie, and Jace. Mrs. Nichols is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, caregivers at Winkler House, nurses from Heart's Way Hospice, and her many friends from Eastside Baptist Church.

Serving as pallbearers are Kenny Thorson, Sydney Burns, Danny Smith, Johnny Woodfin, Ryke Anderson, and Donnie Smith.

If desired, memorials may be made to the Eastside Baptist Church, 1996 F.M. 999, Gary, TX 75643.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.