Judith Nikles

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Judith Denise Hall Nikles, who left us peacefully on January 20, 2025, in Hanford, CA. in the presence of her family. Born on October 28, 1955, Judie was a proud member of the Cherokee Nation West, Oklahoma and self-described "Citizen of the World".
Judie was born in Oakland, California to a U.S. Navy family, Wilford C. Hall and Ruth V. Waters Hall. She attended schools in Memphis, TN., Argentia Naval Air Station, Newfoundland, Canada, Virginia Beach, VA., graduating from high school in Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines, before the family moved to NAS Lemoore, CA. in 1973.
After 1973, she lived in Florida, Alaska, Arizona, and traveled around Mexico and portions of the Pacific Crest Trail in California on a burro, working for a short time at a Wild Burro Rescue and Rehab. Always returning to Kings County before finally settling in Kings County, CA. in 2004 near her parents, children, grandchildren and sister's family.
Judie had a zest for life that was evident in her many hobbies. She loved traveling, exploring new cultures, languages, foods and sharing stories with her family and friends. She loved jigsaw puzzles, the harder the better. Reading, baking, gardening and canning. All genres of music, singing- it was a game she and her sister had started decades before: Name a word and they would come up with a song using that word. She was known as a talented crafter; sewing, repairing and creating custom made leather goods such as belts, pistol holsters, saddlebags and chaps for riders of bikes and burros. She loved to create beaded jewelry and crocheting.
For more than a decade, using her crocheting skills, Judie donated countless baby blankets and hats for new mothers to the NAS Lemoore Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. Along with her husband, David Nikles, she was an active member of the Fleet Reserve in Lemoore and the Elks Club in Hanford, often volunteering to cook and serve meals.
Judie is survived by her husband, David E Nikles; her two children, Shy Rae Jackson (David Lowas); Jennifer L Jackson Lam (Jason); 6 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, her sister, Debra L Hall Summers and 2 nephews; all of Hanford, CA. and her brother George C. Hall (Carmen) of Nashville, TN.
She is preceded in death by her parents, former husband, Robert "Bobby" Irvin Jackson, and brother-in-law, Silas L Summers, Jr.
Services will be private. Donations may be made in her memory to Breast Cancer research.
Her spirit will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.