Mary Elizabeth Nichols, 88, of Bethany, Oklahoma, went peacefully to her Heavenly Home on March 12, 2017. She was preceded in death by her husband, Claude Nichols, her seven sisters, and two brothers. She is survived by her three daughters, Claudetta Hixon (Tom), Melvina Moore (David), and Judy Clark, 11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Elizabeth was born on December 21, 1928, in the small town of Ryan, Oklahoma, to George Melvin Huskey and Etta Josephine Lindsey Huskey. She grew up in Ryan, and loved playing basketball and softball for the local high school. During her senior year, Elizabeth met a World War II veteran, who had just recently returned home from duty. This man, Claude Nichols, would become her best friend and the love of her life. The two were married in 1946 and would remain married for 64 years until Claudes death in 2010. Elizabeth and Claude soon started a family, and with their two young daughters in tow, moved to Bethany in 1949. After the addition of a third daughter, Elizabeth began her education at Bethany Nazarene College where she graduated summa cum laude with a BS in Education. She later received two Masters Degrees in Education and Speech Pathology from Central State University. Elizabeth embarked on her career as an elementary teacher in Bethany. She continued this work at Putnam City Schools for a short time before she became a speech pathologist. She retired in 1986 after 24 years of devoted service in education. Elizabeth was active in several organizations during her lifetime, including Kappa Kappa Iota, Delta Kappa Gamma, MacDowell Club of Allied Arts, and Oklahoma County Retired Educators Association. She was a dedicated member of Bethany First Church of the Nazarene for 57 years, and tirelessly served her church community in many ways. She was the president of her Fellowship Class, where she loved to greet each member with a hug and a smile. Elizabeth leaves a legacy of faith, charity, and most of all love, to her family and friends. She will be greatly missed by them all. Services will be held on Friday, March 17, at 10:30 a.m. at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene. Viewing will be on Thursday, March 16, with family visitation from 6:00-8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to either Global Outreach or Compassionate Ministries at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene. Funeral Service Friday, March 17, 2017 10:30 AM Bethany First Church of the Nazarene 6789 N.W. 39th Expressway Bethany, OK 73008