Nancy "Corky" Coralyn Nichols

The "Great Depression" was into its second year, and Texas was feeling the strain and pain of economic troubles like the rest of the country. Despite hard times, somehow her generation grew up optimistic and hopeful. At ten years old she won a radio contest and got to sing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" from the Wizard of Oz. That seemed to define her life.

She was the oldest of two girls. Patricia "Pat" was three years younger than Nancy.

Her father worked for Phillips Petroleum Co. as a trucker, then later as a jobber. Nancy learned to drive behind the wheel of a stick-shift tanker truck.

She met Billy "Bill" Cantrell Nichols after both families had moved to Sweetwater, Texas. On their first date, Bill took Corky fishing on Lake Sweetwater. Once in the boat, he handed her the pail of worms to see how she reacted. Unhesitating, she took a fat worm, strung it on the hook, and cast the line. Bill was hooked. Bill was the one who nicknamed her Corky. At age 20 Nancy married Billy (age 23) on March 11, 1950 at Highland Heights Methodist Church in Sweetwater.

Bill and Corky had one son, Gary Lee Nichols, and one daughter, Lissa Lynn Nichols. The Nichols family first lived in Fort Worth, but a flood in 1957 provided the impetus for Bill to seek work elsewhere. The family migrated north to Colorado, first to Aurora, then to Littleton, Boulder and finally to Longmont.

Bill, Corky, Gary and Lissa shared hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting adventures, bringing home the bounty for home cooked meals.

Corky played tennis, was active in The Red Hat Society, volunteered at Longmont's Life Care Center, and delivered Meals on Wheels (as a driver!) until she was 90 years old. She intensely followed CU Buffalo football, the Broncos, Rockies and Avalanche... but also any sport on TV.

Corky is survived by by one son, Gary and daughter-in-law Debbie, five granddaughters, Chelsea Pirog (Tony), Brooke Walker (Jason), Jamie Waskul (Nick), Whitney Nichols (Jesus), and Brieanne Simpkins (Jack), one grandson, Quinten Nichols, six great granddaughters, Adison, Kayden, Vanessa, Marissa (Albert). Lenaya, and Alyssa, five great grandsons, Jack, Marcus, Manuel, Ezekiel and Xavier, and three great-grandchildren, Aiden, Melanie, and Jayden.

Her husband Bill died on December 28, 2006, age 79, in Longmont, Colorado. Her daughter Lissa Lynn Reeves Walker Nichols passed away on December 1, 2010, age 54.

Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Howe Mortuary, Longmont.

A Celebration of Corky's Life will be held on Friday, April 24, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Longmont, located at 701 Kimbark St, Longmont, CO 80501

Sympathy Cards and Condolences can be sent to Howe Mortuary & Crematory located at 439 Coffman Street, Longmont, CO 80501.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.howemortuary.com with her loving family.