Veda Justine Nichols

Veda Justine McRae Rencher Nichols passed away peacefully at the age of 98 on September 23, 2025 at the Wesley House in Bonham, Texas. Arrangements are under the direction of Wise Funeral Home. 

Veda was born on December 23, 1926 to Troy Oscar McRae and Lillie Keeton McRae. She attended school in Windom and Ivanhoe, Texas. At a young age Veda gained the nickname "Monk" because she was such a monkey walking on barrels and taking tomboy dares like getting on the back of a steer and riding it. She was not afraid of a good challenge. 

Veda was married to Vurlas Rencher from 1941 to 1971 and together they had 4 children. She worked various factory jobs in her early years of marriage to help support her young children. Veda worked 17 years for Bonham Manufacturing starting out at the machine operator level and later moved into a floor line supervisor position. 

She learned to drive an old Model A and how to down shift to slow it down because it didn't have any brakes. Needless to say, there were many close calls and almost wound up in a pool. Veda endured and overcame many obstacles in her life and she said that it made her the person she became. After she and Vurlas divorced she worked at General Cable to support her family. She was a woman that believed in hard work and determination. 

Veda remarried on December 27, 1974 to Ray Nichols and they made their home in Windom, Texas for a short time until together they started a business named Domestique Contractors. Veda started her company with with one steam machine and turned it into a successful commercial and residential construction sales company. She set up an office in Fort worth and managed painting and cleaning crews and spent many days and nights on the job sites with her crew. Her family joined her in the business and she instilled in her grandchildren work ethics and if you are going to do something you better do it right! A motto that Veda lived up to all the days of her life. While she was building a successful business in the metroplex, she designed and had the first log home built on Lake Bonham. Her log home was featured in Better Homes and Gardens Magazine. Veda loved entertaining with parties and luaus. She enjoyed playing dominoes with her friends, baking pies, and holiday family get togethers. 

Veda was of the Baptist Faith and she was a member at Duplex Baptist Church. She loved reading her bible and always kept it nearby. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, Troy and Lillie McRae, sisters, Fern McRae, Tillie Jackson, husbands, Vurlas Rencher, Ray Nichols, and sons, Bill Rencher and Robert Rencher. 

Veda is survived by son, Richard Rencher and wife Shirley of Durant, OK, daughter, Vurlane Day of Ivanhoe, TX, sister, Daphene Parsons of San Antonio, brother J.C McRae and wife Pat of Bonham, TX. She is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. 

Thank you to the caring staff at the Wesley House and Guardian Hospice for their care and devotion to Veda. Visitation is Saturday, September 27, 2025 from 5pm to 7pm at Wise Funeral Home. Graveside is Sunday, September 28, 2025 at 3pm at Duplex Cemetery.