Joan Nicholas, 94, of Brownwood, Texas, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, at Davis Morris Funeral Home, led by Tim Boeglin, with memorial visitation prior to the service. A private interment will be held at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Ozona at a later date.
Joan was born Dec. 1, 1918, in Shrewsbury Shropshire, England, to Stanley and Rose Ella Donkin. In 1935 at the age of 17, Joan went to Shrewsbury Technical College and studied secretarial skills and in 1938-1942 she worked in London and Shrewsbury. For two years she persistently requested release from her job to join the RAF to serve her country during World War II. In 1942 her request was finally granted and she joined the Royal Air Force. She served in the “new technology” of RADAR. She met Milton (Nick) Nicholas who served in the 35th Division, 3rd battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army. They were married June 27, 1945, in England. Joan was always an independent free spirit ready for adventure. After the war was over leaving her parents behind, she started her newest adventure in the U.S.
After that time, Joan lived in Dallas, Marfa, Ozona, and Brownwood, Texas, spending most of her years in Ozona. There she was a legal secretary, insurance agent, and an activities director in the local nursing home, but she was most passionate about her hobbies and volunteer work. In the 1960’s she enjoyed being a Ham Radio Operator and started playing golf. In the 1970’s she was a recognized state level volunteer for the American Cancer Society and travelled extensively across Texas for them. In the 1980’s and 1990’s she took art and delved into painting landscapes with oils and water colors. She was also a Certified Adult Literacy tutor and was able to help several adults learn to read and write. During her time in Ozona she was a member of St. Johns Episcopal Church in Sonora Texas and also First United Methodist in Ozona. In 1995 she moved to Brownwood after the death of her husband and quickly made new friends that she cherished.
In 2000 she wrote her memories which her family will forever treasure along with several poems. Joan loved to learn and was self educated on many topics. She consistently read educational books especially British history. She had a gift of making people smile and laugh with stories and dramatic antics. She loved cats, especially her beloved Nansi-Belle. Bird watching was a favorite pastime. Joan’s voice will always be remembered, her beautiful dialect will be affectionately missed by all. More than anything, “Nana” loved “her boys”. Her grandsons were very dear to her heart and she frequently stated how proud she was of all of them.
Joan is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Newton and son-in-law Rick Newton of Brownwood; three grandsons, Nick Dacy of Wichita Falls, Douglas Newton and wife Darcy Newton of Buda, Texas, and Bryce Newton of Evansville, Ind.; and two great-grandsons, Kamden Dacy and Jake Dacy.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a granddaughter, Carrie Ann Dacy; her husband, Milton (Nick) Nicholas; and a daughter, Ruthella Dacy Minatra.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Central Methodist Church of Brownwood or the American Cancer Society.
Online condolences to the family may be made at www.davismorrisfuneralhome.com.
