Bethany, MO: Wilma Nadine Nicholls, 95, Bethany, MO passed away Thursday, December 30, 2021 at an Independence, MO nursing home.
She was born on April 24, 1926 the daughter of Orville and Goldie (Madison) Burton.
Nadine was a graduate of Bethany High School in 1944. She was united in marriage to Lester “Chub” Nicholls on December 20, 1944. He preceded her in death on December 18, 1992. This union was blessed with four children: Kaylene, Patricia “Trish”, Janeen, and Kent. They raised their children in the New Hampton, Martinsville, and Bethany, MO area.
She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at the old Baptist Church. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bethany, MO which she attended faithfully. She enjoyed working in the church kitchen, belonged to Ladies Mission Action and was active in Sunday School as long as her health allowed. She volunteered at the hospital auxiliary and senior center as she like doing good deeds for others.
Nadine was a homemaker and loving wife, mother, and grandmother and family was always important to her. She loved sewing and made beautiful quilts which her children now have and she sewed much of the clothing her children wore when they were young. She worked hard in the many gardens she and Chub planted over the years, canning most of the food they produced. Trish and Kaylene remember squabbling over who was going to get pushed down to the garden on this cultivator Nadine put a board across which allowed one person a free ride. She enjoyed walking in the neighborhood in good weather and then when it got too cold would walk in Dorothy Sheets’ basement who was a neighbor across the street. She loved to go shopping and to garage sales with her daughters or whoever would ask her to go. She had that special touch to grow beautiful house plants and outdoor planters that would catch your eye as you drove by. She was known as a great cook by all her family and sharing many of those recipes to anyone that would ask. She was known for her delicious cinnamon rolls, candy and pies. Just ask Kent and Mallory who Nadine cooked many meals over the years for as she always said she would probably never cook as good a meal for just herself. Kent was always nearby to lend a hand in any way and spoiled his mother since she lived right beside their house. Nadine and Chub traveled with family and friends through several states over the years on vacations and after he passed, she took some enjoyable bus trips to Branson, Smokey Mountains, Chicago, and Mackinaw Island with family.
In addition to her husband, Nadine was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Dale and Harold Burton; sisters, Bettie Warren and Eda Marsh and a son-in-law, Larry Hillyard.
Nadine is survived by her son, Kent Nicholls (Susette) of Bethany, MO; daughters, Kaylene Wilson (Howard) of Odessa, MO, Trish Hillyard of Lee’s Summit, MO and Janeen Fortner (Doug) of Gower, MO; brother, Ronald Burton, Raymore, MO; sister, Marilyn Huit, Bethany, MO; ten grandchildren, Doug Wilson, Kim (Kemp) Shepherd, Brian Wilson, Todd (Lisa) Hillyard, Tara (Jason) Barndt, Jamee (Randy) Sweatt, Alisha (Mike) Jessen, Emily (Jim) Houghton, Ashley (Brian) Frei and Mallory Nicholls; 18 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at Roberson Funeral Home, Bethany, MO. Burial will follow in Miriam Cemetery, Bethany, MO. The family will receive friends from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Bethany and/or the Alzheimer’s Association in care of Roberson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 46, Bethany, MO 64424. Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.c