Nila June Davis Nickell

Nila June Davis Nickell's cheerful mantra was, "My bags are packed, I have my ticket, and I'm waiting at the station!" In the arms of angels she flew to her final destination on the morning of Saturday, May 27th, 2017. Nila June Davis was born, appropriately, on her mother's birthday, July 22,1930, in the small town of Olton, Texas, to Walter Dupree Davis and Zora Billington Davis. She was a precious gift to her family, friends, students, colleagues, and all who had the privilege to know and love her. Nila had one biological sister, Norma Davis Hogue, but when her mother remarried a remarkable man named Porter Campbell, her number of siblings multiplied substantially. She gained two more much loved sisters, Dorothy Campbell Bumgarner and Doris (Tyne) Campbell Tucker as well as three brothers: Lee, Ray, and Cecil Campbell. Nila married the one and only love of her life, Wilton Maurice (Nick) Nickell in 1947 at the tender age of 17. At just 19 Nila welcomed twin boys, Jerry and Gerry and in the following years two daughters, Sharon and Tracie. While raising her family, she helped Nick obtain his teaching degree and then set off with him to rural Colorado where he taught and coached. Summers were spent taking college classes so that Nila could get her own teaching certificate. She taught elementary school for six years in Branson, Colorado, where Nick was the school superintendent. She continued taking summer classes until she had her own Master's degree from WTSU. In 1971 Nick, Nila and the girls permanently returned to Canyon. Nila retired from teaching Special Education for 20 years at Forest Hill Elementary in Amarillo. In 2009 Nila moved to The Continental where she resided at the time of her death. She is survived by one sister, Doris Tucker. Also left to cherish her memory and honor her example of faith, kindness, compassion, humor, and humility are her children Jerry Nickell and his wife Patti of Las Animas, Colorado; Gerry Nickell and his wife Darla of Canyon; Sharon Reep and her husband Jack of Amarillo: and Tracie Lee of Canyon. Nila leaves eight grandsons of whom she was so proud: Brad Nickell, Jamie Nickell, Kelly Nickell, Cory Nickell, Casey Nickell, Jason Reep, Jerod Reep, and Tristan Lee. She also had 21 great grandchildren who affectionately called her "Grandma Greenfrog!" She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilton and by sisters Norma Hogue and Dorothy Bumgarner. Also preceding her were brothers Lee Campbell, Ray Campbell, and Cecil Campbell. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to The American Heart Association: P.O. Box 52091, Amarillo, TX 79159 or Christian Relief Fund.

Service Schedule

Funeral Service Cox Funeral Home 4180 Canyon Drive Amarillo, TX 79109 Wednesday, May 31, 2017 3:00 p.m.

Burial Schedule

Dreamland Cemetery Canyon , TX