Mary Strader Nichols

Mary was born in Greensboro, NC, the daughter of the late Garrett and Mattie Christmon Strader. She was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil and son, Bill; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Howard and Margaret Strader, George and Grace Strader, Dick and Mary Strader and Nip Strader.

Mary graduated from Curry High School in Greensboro, NC and received her nursing education at Garfield Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C. She retired from Broughton Hospital where she was the Nursing Supervisor of the acute Hospital Ward.

She is survived by her daughters, Sue and Merle Prestwood, Donna and Larry Burch and Lyn Nichols of Lenoir, NC; nine grandchildren, Kim and Lawrence Kelley, Bob Prestwood, Debra Bryant, Scot Nichols, Mark and Annette Nichols, Alan and Carrie Nichols, Sandy Nichols, Mary Schmidlin, Nancy Davison; sixteen great grandchildren, Gwyn Kelley, Jessica Townsend, John Bryant, Hali, Travis and Macy Nichols, Haley Young, Christy and Travis Smith, Salena Loveless, Ben, Jay and Mary Kate Schmidlin, Hannah, Jane and Jack Davison, Lane McGalliard; and one great, great grandson, Daegan Smith. Three brothers, Frank and Cleo Strader of Pleasant Garden, NC, Jack and Alice Strader of Plymouth, NC, and Herb Strader of Greensboro, NC; and many nieces and nephews.

Receiving of friends will be Thursday, May 12, 2011 at Pendry’s Funeral Home from 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm; graveside services will be Friday, May 13, 2011 at 1:00 pm at Littlejohn United Methodist Church; conducted by Reverend Elizabeth Graves.

The family extends deep appreciation to Kathy Roper, Fran Grudier, Marsha Bradshaw, Patty Guier, Jane Gant and everyone at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care for their care of our mother and family. To Jackie Chumbimuni, Beth Brown, and Susan Gragg for their care of our mother at home.

Our mother is with God in Heaven. Our family will miss her with all our hearts, but we know that our father, brother and all who have gone before her are thrilled to have her by their side again.

The family requests memorials be made to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street, NW, Lenoir, NC 28645 or to Littlejohn United Methodist Church, 4120 Littlejohn Church Road, Lenoir, NC 28645.

Online condolences may be made to www.pendrysfuneralhome.com

Pendry’s Funeral Home is serving the family of Mary Frances Strader Nichols.