VELMA IRENE "BABE" MILLER NICKELL died at
her home near Caddo, TX on Jan. 19, 2010, at the age
of 89 years, with burial at Caddo Cemetery.
She was born at the Benny Ranch in an oilfield camp in
Stephens County on Oct. 15, 1920 to Riley Edgar Miller
& Rosa Mae Dempsey Miller. She attended schools in Buffalo,
Grosevena, Frankel, & graduated from Ranger High School
in 1939 at Ranger, TX. Five days later, she married Harve
Knox "Pete" Nickell; they celebrated 50 years of marriage
in June of 1989. Most of her married life, Babe lived on
the Nickell place off Highway 180 near Caddo. In 1977,
her children joined forces and built her a new home,
complete with a native stone fireplace in a large living
room, which became Babe's favorite place in the world.
In October, it became increasingly hard for her to walk
and in January she finally agreed to be taken to Fort
Worth for evaluation; her health deteriorated rapidly and
after ten days of hospitalization, she asked to be allowed
to die at home by her fireplace. She was transported by
ambulance from Plaza Medical Center of Fort Worth to Caddo
on Monday evening, and she died peacefully, early the next
morning, well aware that she was near her beloved fireplace,
where she drank her coffee every morning for more than 30
years, even during the summer, before she began her very
active day. She loved quilting, bingo, Skip-bo, and spending
time with her large family, and numerous friends. She loved
earning money by collecting aluminum cans, gathering pecans,
and hosting garage sales.
She was preceded in death by a sister Violet Basham, brothers
Lloyd Edgar "Bud" Miller, Benny Edmond Miller, and Bobby Ray
Miller, numerous nieces and nephews survive Babe. She was
also preceded in death by her husband, Harve Knox "Pete"
Nickell, in February of 1990, and four of her seven children,
Patricia May Nickell Al-Tayyib, Wanda Joyce Nickell Madsen,
Joe Edgar Nickell, and Robby Glen Nickell (1947-2009).
Her surviving children include Melvin Ray Nickell of Lubbock
and wife, Pat, R. Lee Nickell of Breckenridge, and Donnie
Wayne Nickell and wife, Wilhemina of Seagoville. She is
further survived by 18 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren,
and two great-great grandchildren. Babe is also survived by
one brother, R.L. Miller (RHS-1949) of La Casa.