Marie Proutt was born on March 3, 1938 in St. Thomas, V.I. to Alphonso & Marie Nichols. They later moved to Puerto Rico where she became educated in a second language. She moved to the mainland in the U.S. in 1963 and during that time she helped raise her youngest sister Cecilia and eventually settled in Kansas. There she met and married Willie C. Proutt. She was on the Deaconess Board at Second Missionary Baptist Church. As well as a teacher assistant for the Geary County School Board District in Junction City, Kansas. She was always looking at the bright side of things even in the darkest of times. She was also a volunteer for the U.S.O. Marie Nichols and Willie C. Proutt have a combined family of four sons and a daughter. Marie is survived by her children: Cleveland, James (Susan), Juan (Debra), Roland, Virginia (Earl). Grandchildren: Crayshawn, Phebe, Eli, Roland Jr., Earl, Chris, Michelle, and Denise. Sisters: Doris Cecilia (Larry). Along with numerous great-grandchildren, other realtives, and friends whom she loved.
