Doris Nicholls Schleicher

Doris Nicholls Schleicher, 95, was called home to heaven on June 14, 2012. A resident of Austin Since 1970, she was born in Corinth, Mississippi on January 17, 1917, the first child of Doris McMain Nicholls and Benjamin Frank Nicholls. She was preceded in death by Frank Crain Schleicher, her husband of 65 years, her parents, brothers Frank, Johnny, Jimmy, Hugh, and Albert (Crook) Nicholls. Her two sisters Nancy Nicholls McKesson and Virginia Nicholls McCollum and brother Richard Nicholls survive her. Her sisters were by her bedside when she passed away.

She is survived by her two sons and their wives: Frank Crain Schleicher, II, and Martha of Austin, and Barry Michel Schleicher and Joan of Spring, TX.

She greeted each and all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren with all her heart, love and much excitement as they arrived to be a growing part of her family and legacy. Barry John (BJ) and wife Gersende of California MD, Steven Crain Schleicher and wife Melinda of Sugarland, TX, Elizabeth Joan (Beth) Schleicher Sanders and husband Daniel and sons Kaleb & Cole of Conroe TX, James Hay Schleicher of Austin, Paul Frank Schleicher of Austin, Andrew Norman Sorrell and wife Roxanne and daughter Alice of Austin, TX and Virginia Sorrell Lynn and husband Scott and their children Isabelle, Emma, Henry, Eleanor, and William of Huntsville AL.

She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews including Richard McCollum, Helen Wight and husband Paul, Valerie McKesson, Warren McKesson and wife Debbie.

Doris felt especially blessed to have family members living in the same retirement community: Her two sisters Nancy and Virginia and her cousin Eileen Crain Sullivan.

Doris Graduated from Carr Central High School in Vicksburg where she had been Homecoming Queen. After graduating from Carr Central she attended All Saints Episcopal College and worked in the principal's office at Carr Central High school from 1937 until 1940 when she married Frank.

Doris met the love of her life when Frank, on a vacation to the United States from Venezuela, passed through Vicksburg Mississippi in 1939, on the way to visit his mother in Texas. After a few days visit in Vicksburg and a year of correspondence Frank returned to Vicksburg to marry Doris on December 26, 1940.

Doris, truly in love, was a courageous young woman to marry a man who had proposed to her after only knowing her 2 weeks. After their wedding they traveled by train to Washington DC and New York, bought household items and furniture at Macy's for a house she had never seen, and took a 10 day honeymoon trip to Maracaibo, Venezuela (her first trip out of the States) on an oil tanker while the ship steamed in black-out conditions and zigzag pattern to avoid potential German submarines.

Doris and Frank lived in Venezuela for 30 years and made many lifelong friends while there. Doris often referred to those years as the "Camelot" years. She loved to paint and did many beautiful scenes of places in Venezuela.

In 1970 Doris and Frank returned to the States and settled in Austin Texas. They enjoyed extensive travel by VW camper, trailer and motor home throughout the United States, visiting all the states but one (Hawaii). They visited friends and family while collecting genealogical information.

Doris was a member of the Austin DAR chapter by way of 17 ancestors, the Colonial Dames and the Jamestown Society.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorials in her name to Hospice Austin, The Talking Book Program (PO Box 12516, Austin TX, 78711), National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. or the charity of your choice.

Her sons & family would like to extend a special thank you to all the staff at the Summit at Westlake Healthcare Center who took such good care of Doris. Your loving care of Mom meant so much to us.

Visitation will be Sunday June 24 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Weed-Corley-Fish North Chapel, 3125 North Lamar, Austin, Texas. Graveside services to be held at Fort Sam Houston Cemetery in San Antonio at 11:45 am on Monday June 25th. Rev Roland Timberlake, Rector Emeritus, St. Luke's on the Lake, Austin Texas, will officiate.

Pall Bearers:

Andrew Sorrell

BJ Schleicher

James Schleicher

Vince Lara

Steven Schleicher

Honorary Pall Bearers:

Daniel Sanders

Paul Schleicher

Scott Lynn

Richard McCollum

Paul Wight

Warren McKesson