Nellie Mae Newman Nicholas was born February 27, 1913 at El Dorado Springs, MO, the second daughter of Leland and Pearl (Scott) Newman.
She departed this life on May 7, 2014 at Community Springs Healthcare Facility. She was a graduate of El Dorado Springs High School in 1934. From Central Missouri University she held a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education. A master of Science Degree in Elementary Administration and Supervision, and a Specialist Degree in Guidance and Counseling.
Nellie became a Christian in 1933 and united with the Baptist Church. She attended First Baptist Church in El Dorado Springs as long as health permitted. She tried always to live her life according to Christian principles.
On June 4, 1939, Nellie was married to Orville Nicholas. They mad their home in Appleton City, MO until 1942 when Orville was called into World War II. During the four years of his service for his country, Nellie worked at North America Aviation Kansas City helping build B-25 Bombers.
When Orville returned from the war, the Missouri State Highway Department stationed him in Butler, MO where they lived thirty-two years.
Nellie retired in 1977 after teaching and counseling in the Public Schools of Missouri for forty years. She began her teaching at Oak Ridge, a one room rural school. The last thirty-two years of her career was spent in Butler, MO at Butler R5 school.
She was a dedicated and well loved teacher. She loved her students and gave many extra hours helping those needing special attention. Many students could tell you she said to them, “Don’t say I can’t, I’ll try. If a thing is worth doing at all, it’s worth doing well. Always live your life to be an honor to your God, your parents and your country.”
Her name was placed in the teacher Hall of Fame in 1973.
In 1977, after retirement, Nellie and Orville moved to El Dorado Springs. A highlight of their lives was the celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary in 1989.
She was a member of the Baptist Church, Alpha Delta Kappa Honoring Teachers’ Sorority, Missouri Retired Teachers, Sac Osage Retired Teachers, Missouri Retired State Employees, Preserve Our Past, National Congress of Parents and Teachers, Cedar County Library and Cedar County Hospital Auxiliary.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Paul; her loving husband, Orville of fifty-five years, her dearly beloved sister, Lillian Sunderwirth and special friend Velda Faye Brackenridge.
Nellie is survived by her brother-in-law, Cecil Nicholas of El Dorado Springs, MO; nieces, Anna Lee Barker and husband Wayne of El Dorado Springs, MO, Paula Newman of El Dorado Springs, MO, and Alice Lillygren and husband Warren of Kansas City; nephews, Dannie Newman and wife Sharon of El Dorado Springs, MO, Larry Newman and wife Sherrie of Stockton, MO, Randy Newman and Lorrie of Nixa, MO, Rick Newman and Sally of Humansville, MO, Troy Nicholas and wife Sherri El Dorado Springs, MO; a very special and dear friend, Thelma Forest; many other relatives and friends, and a very special group of teachers of Sac Osage Retired School Employees.
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