Claire Ruth Nichols

CLAIRE RUTH NICHOLS was born July 22, 1911 in Decatur, Texas to Leroy N. and Celia Jones Nichols. Died August 28, 2002 in Allen, Texas. Ms. Nichols was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters, and one brother. She graduated from O'Donnell High School in 1927. Claire Ruth attended West Texas State College in Canyon, Texas and Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas and was employed by First National Bank and the City of O'Donnell before joining the Women's Army Corps, in which she served from 1943 to 1945. She was assigned to Headquarters, Eighth Army Air Force in London, England. While there, she had four months special training in French History and Language at the University of Paris (Sorbonne), Paris, France. Upon her return to the United States, she graduated from University of Texas in 1948 with a Master's Degree in foreign trade and finance. Ms. Nichols was employed by Second National Bank, Houston, Texas and Texas Gulf Sulfur Company during the 1950s. She joined NASA in June 1960, and worked at the Johnson Center until her retirement in May 1985. Ms. Nichols enjoyed extensive travel, visiting Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, China, and the Holy Land. She was a member of and very active in First United Methodist Church, Houston. She was very involved in beginning and participating in numerous Bible study groups including all of the Bible Study Fellowship courses. Ms. Nichols is survived by numerous nieces and nephews and their offspring. Graveside services will be held at O'Donnell Cemetery on Saturday, August 31 at 11 a.m. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 1320 Main Street, Houston Texas, or to First Methodist Church, O'Donnell, Texas.