Florence Elizabeth Nichols

Florence was born over 100 years ago in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey on December 1st, 1909 to Joseph Kraus and Elizabeth Klingler Kraus and was the younger of 2 children.

Florence was married to William Austin Nichols on June 9th 1936 and had two sons and two daughters. After 35 years of marriage, her husband died on August 27th, 1971 in Charleston, West Virginia where they lived for 8 years. Florence never remarried and looked forward to the day that she would rejoin her husband in heaven.

She was predeceased by her husband, Bill; son Bill; daughter-in-law, Abby; and son-in-law, Earl Ellis. Florence is survived by daughter, Mary Agnes Ellis; daughter, Susan Hastie and husband, Vincent; son, Joe and wife Beth; 11 grandchildren who gleefully called her Meemaw; and 17 great grandchildren, all of whom she dearly loved.

In addition to being a devoted wife and mother, Florence served for many years at Sacred Heart parish in Charleston, West Virginia as a Eucharistic Minister and was very active in a variety of church activities including visiting the sick and calling out to shut-ins.

More recently she moved to Texas where she lived with and was cared for by her surviving son Joe and his wife Beth. She became a member of Prince of Peace parish where she was tended to by her Eucharistic Minister Sylvia Martinez until she died. Florence was loved by all and always kept a cheerful spirit and loving demeanor for all those she met. She fondly reminisced about her 100th birthday party that was well attended by her family and friends, and where she led the festivities calling for dancing and entertainment from and for all. Although she will be missed by all she surely will gaze down on us from heaven above.

SERVICE

TUESDAY, JULY 20, 2010

8:45 A.M.

FORT MYER CHAPEL

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA

Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 8115 Datapoint Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78229.