Nichols, Ila Marie (Duke), 84, of Big Spring, died on Wednesday, October 11, 2000, in a local nursing home. Graveside funeral services will be at 2:00 PM Friday, October 13, 2000, at Trinity Memorial Park with Rev. Ken McMeans, pastor of College Baptist Church, officiating. She was born on July 1, 1916 in Clifton, Texas. Her parents were Thomas Clarence Duke and Sarah Mimi (Evans) Duke. She married Ray Nichols on August 7, 1935 in Wink, Texas. He preceded her in death on August 3, 2000. Mrs. Nichols graduated from High School at Rosebud, Texas. She lived in Fort Worth, Texas before going into nurses training at Scott & White Hospital, Temple, Texas. She and her husband moved to Big Spring in 1942. She attended Howard College and Hardin Simmons, Abilene, Texas. Post graduate work was done at Texas Tech, Lubbock, at Sul Ross, Alpine and the University of Texas at Austin, earning three degrees. She taught school in the Big Spring Independent School System for twenty years. She was a member of College Baptist Church, a member and Past Noble Grand of John A. Key Rebekah Lodge, a member of the Business & Professional Women's Club. She had volunteered at the VA Hospital and also served as a Girl Scout Leader. She and her late husband were active in the Western Dirfters RV Club. Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Beverly and Jimmie Sundy of Big Spring; one sister, Ruth Allen of Ft. Worth; three grandchildren, Teresa Marie Sundy of Lubbock, Margie Strickland of Big Spring and Reggie Shaw and seven great grandchildren, Colby Nix, Courtney Hecker and Sterling Strickland all of Big Spring, Shae Shaw, Ryan Shaw, Joshua Shaw and Noah Shaw all of San Angelo. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Claudia Marie Redmon on November 14, 1997 and by a grandson, Daniel Wayne Sundy on November 4, 1997. Honorary pallbearers will be all current and former Union Pacific Railroad Employees The family suggests memorials be made to: The American Heart Association, 3525 Andrews Hwy Suite 111, Midland, Texas 79703, The American Cancer Society Memorial Program, % Lucy Bonner, P.O. Box 2121, Big Spring, Texas 79721-2121 or The American Diabetes Association, Inc., Texas Affiliate, Inc., Western Regional Office, 8008 Slide Rd., Lubbock, Texas 79424. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 7:30 PM Thursday at the funeral home. Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home.,
