Obituary for Belva Nichols

Belva Kathline Nichols

April 6, 1947 – June 23, 2018

Belva Kathline Miller Nichols, age 71, resident of Kaw City, Oklahoma, passed away Saturday, June 23, 2018 in Ponca City.

Friends and loved may pay their respects at the funeral home from 8am-8pm Wednesday, June 27th with the family present to greet friends from 6-8pm. A Rosary service will be held at 9:30 am and a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am, Thursday June 28, 2018 at the St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Shidler with Reverend Sean Donovan officiating. Following the ceremony, she will be laid to rest at Grandview Cemetery in Kaw City. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory.

Belva was born on April 6, 1947 to Guy Calvin Miller and Belva B. Altman Miller in Houston, TX. Belva moved between Houston and Tulsa and then back to Houston during her childhood before graduating from high school in Spring Branch, TX with the class of 1965. After high school, Belva attended Tulsa University where she met Robert B. Nichols in her dance class. At first, she wasn’t so sure about him, but as the class progressed, Belva realized he was a catch. They were married in Tulsa in 1969. Their marriage bore three sons Matthew, Ryan and Michael.

While she excelled in her life, Belva was humble; not wanting the limelight for her deeds. Yet her accomplishments were many, especially regarding sports, one of her great passions. While in high school, Belva was on the tennis and swim teams, later she coached basketball and softball teams. Through the end of her life she was vigilant in watching games of her favorite sports teams. Her family knew she wasn’t to be substantially interrupted while watching those games. Belva’s industrious personality didn’t allow her to just sit and watch those games. She did her housework while the games were playing on T.V. Belva found great joy in casting a line from her fishing pole, fishing every day she was able for fresh crappie in the frying pan. Family was another passion Belva pursued, making sure her children, their friends and later her grandchildren were well fed with her delicious dishes. She cherished the time she had with her family and worked hard to instill strong moral values in them, while living the same values herself. More recently, Belva took up traveling. With her son living in Germany, she had a landing spot to see the great sights of Europe which turned into an annual trip. Since moving to Shidler, Belva has been a positive presence at Shidler Public Schools where she was a special education teacher. She stayed active in the school even after retiring. Faith also defined Belva. As a fruitful member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Shidler for many years, she lived her faith in her humility, kindness and generosity.

Survivors include her sons: Matthew Nichols and wife MaryJo of Edmond, OK, Ryan Nichols and wife Melanie of Prosper, TX, and Michael Nichols and wife Maryana of Stuttgart, Germany, siblings: Patsy Duffy of IL, Jocelyn Miller of IL, Judy Gillette and husband Dennis of CA, Brian Miller and wife Cindy of Franklin, TN, Larry Miller and wife Debbie of Manhattan, IL, and grandchildren: Allie, Gunner, Haley, Jaxen, Yana and Mila as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Belva was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Ann’s Catholic Church.

Source: Trout Funeral Home