Doris Marie Nichols

Doris Marie Graham Nichols, age 96 of Gatesville, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 surrounded by her family.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, April 24, 2026, at Scott’s Funeral Home with Pastor Tom Beaty officiating. A private family burial will follow at the Nichols Family Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at Scott’s Funeral Home.

Doris was born March 2, 1930, in Keener Hollow, Brown’s Creek in Coryell County to Ira H. and Naomi (Bud) Keener Graham. She married the love of her life, Jack H. Nichols, on March 9, 1947, and they shared 70 devoted years together until his passing in 2017. Doris dedicated many years of service as a teacher’s aide, working for 15 years at the State School for Boys and later with both the Gatesville and Copperas Cove public school systems. She was a lifelong and faithful member of First Methodist Church in Gatesville, where she served as secretary for 18 years.

Doris enjoyed cooking, playing golf, reading, sewing, drawing, and singing. She lovingly made wedding gowns, bridesmaids’ dresses and prom dresses for her daughters and granddaughters and had a special passion for quilting. She also volunteered her time as a Girl Scout Leader and Cub Scout Den Mother, participating in vacation Bible school, and created costumes for church programs and holiday celebrations.

Doris treasured traveling with her family across the United States, researching and compiling family history, and above all, being able to host and attend family get togethers.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Jack H. Nichols; her sister, Helen Louise Graham; her brother, Michael Wayne Graham; her daughter, Anita Elaine Davidson; her daughters in law, Margit Nichols and Carolyn Nichols; her son in law, Kyle Pruitt; her granddaughter, Tina Chancellor; her sisters in law, Jo Nichols, and Myra Sue Nichols; and her brothers in law, Audiane Robinette, R.D. Nichols, and Wesley Nichols.

Doris is survived by her sons, Ronnie H. Nichols of Puyallup, Washington, and Gary W. Nichols of Fort Stockton; her daughters, Joyce M. Pruitt of Gatesville, Cindy B. Martin and husband Gene of Gatesville, Nancy L. Hanna and husband Jimmy of China Spring, and Susie A. Herbelin and husband Ricky of Hewitt; as well as 20 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great grandchildren.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Kay Nabors, whose loving care and companionship over the past three years made her part of the family, and to Wings Over Texas Hospice for their compassionate support.

Memorials may be made to the Altar Flower Fund at First Methodist Church in Gatesville or to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.