Lil H. Nicholl (Plainview)

Mrs. Lil H. Nicholl, 95, who lived in Plainview for 70 years, passed away in her residence near Fayette, MO, on January 19. Funeral services will be held at 11 am, Wednesday, January 25, at the First Presbyterian Church, 2101 Utica Street, Plainview, with the Rev. David Hawkins officiating. Burial will follow in Plainview Memorial Park under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Plainview. Pallbearers will be Matthew Nicholl, Haden Nicholl, Ryan Nicholl, Brendan Kennedy, Colin Kennedy, Gary Haden, and Jim Haden. The family will visit with friends on Tuesday evening from 5 until 7 pm. at Kornerstone Funeral Directors, 3605 S. W. 3rd Street. Born in Ft. Worth, Texas, on Sept. 18, 1916, to James Craydon Haden and Susie Lowery Haden, Lily Virginia was predeceased by a sister, Mary Ida Sellers, three brothers, Lewis J. Haden, Frank H. Haden, and Jack C. Haden, and a son-in-law, James J. Kennedy III. Always called Lil by her family and friends, she graduated from Paschal High School, Ft. Worth, in 1933. After graduation, she worked as a typesetter for the Fort Worth Star Telegram, and as a fashion model for the Fair Department Store. She met Dr. Elden C. Nicholl in Ft. Worth, and they married there on May 7, 1937. Later that year they moved to Plainview, where he started to practice veterinary medicine. After Dr. Nicholl’s death in 2003, Mrs. Nicholl continued to live in Plainview until early 2007. She then moved to Fayette, MO, where she resided at Lilac Hill Farm, home of her daughter Carol Staten. An energetic, talented, and creative woman, Mrs. Nicholl was active in the social, civic, and cultural life of Plainview for 70 years. She joined the First Presbyterian Church in 1942 and was a founding member of its Naomi-Ruth Circle. She held many offices in Plainview's Chapter CZ of P.E.O., including president, and was honored in 2005 as a "Golden Girl" for fifty years of membership. Upon moving to Missouri, Mrs. Nicholl transferred to Chapter AU, joining her daughter and granddaughter. In support of her four children and other youth, Mrs. Nicholl volunteered as a leader for Cub Scouts, Brownies, and Girl Scouts, and was a founding board member of the Plainview YMCA. A longtime member of the local Junior and Senior Service Leagues, she helped found the Women’s Club of Plainview, and was a founding board member of the local chapter of the American Cancer Society. Throughout the years, Mrs. Nicholl enjoyed being a mentor to many young women. She also treasured her decades-long friendships in the Coronado Study Club and the Joy of Living Bridge Club, and continued to enjoy playing bridge into her 95th year. Mrs. Nicholl was especially active on the Plainview Cultural Arts Council, holding various offices including president, and in 1996 received its Silver Star Award for her record of service. A multiple award-winning artist in several media, she entered many art shows and exhibited in galleries and museums in Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, and Missouri. Her work is held in private and university collections in more than a half-dozen states. Mrs. Nicholl was a charter member of the Plains Art Association, serving two terms as president. She was also an active member of the West Texas Watercolor Society and the Lubbock Art Association, and was selected for membership in the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies. An avid collector of art and antiques, she and her daughter Carol co-owned Gallery Antiques in Plainview, 1977-1987. She liked to say, "I have a very special place in my heart and feelings for art in any form." Family was most important to Mrs. Nicholl, and she took great pride in her children, their spouses, her grandchildren, and great grandchildren. In September, family and friends gathered in Missouri for a wonderful celebration of her 95th birthday. Mrs. Nicholl is survived by her four children: Dr. James R. (Jim Bob) Nicholl of Cullowhee, NC, and his wife Kathy; Carol V. Staten, Fayette, MO, and her husband Ken; Pat C. Nicholl, Ft. Myers, FL, and Suzanne H. Kennedy, Ft. Myers, FL. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. In Texas, memorials may be made to the following: First Presbyterian Church, 2101 Utica St., Plainview, TX 79072; Wayland Baptist University Foundation, for Fine Arts scholarships, 1900 W. 7th St., Plainview, TX 79072; P.E.O. Scholar Awards, c/o Ramona Roberts, 1900 Amarillo St., Plainview, TX 79072. In Missouri, memorials may be made to the following: St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 104 West Davis St., Fayette, MO 65248; The Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art, Central Methodist University, 411 Central Methodist Square, Fayette, MO 65248; P.E.O. Scholar Awards, c/o Mary Hrdina, 970 State Route W, Fayette, MO 65248.