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It is with deep sadness that family of Ruth MacKay Davison Nicholls announces her passing on February 22, 2015. She was born on Sept. 24, 1916, to Samuel Vaughn Davison and Mabel MacKay Davison. Both the Mackays and the Davisons were members of large New Jersey families who traced their roots back to the early colonial years of this nation and to the American Revolution. She grew up surrounded by dozens of cousins as well as by her sister, Mabel, and her brother, Bob. Mom's first job, at 16 years old and during the Great Depression, was as an executive secretary in the New York City employment agency she had visited to start her job search. They hired her on the spot! In 1938 she married Arthur Merthyn Nicholls and they started their family. Sandra, Barbara and Debra were born in New Jersey. Then the family relocated to Texas in 1952, where Art was born. Mom was always the ultimate Mom; she was an elementary school room mother; she baked cookies for kindergarten classes and high school social clubs; she typed term themes; and she made costumes for school plays. Her family was always her first priority. Another of her interests was the church. When her children were teenagers, she dusted off her secretarial skills and went to work as the minister's secretary at St. John's United Methodist Church. Later she moved to Laurel Heights United Methodist Church where she worked until she and Dad retired in 1978. Mom was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 44 years, Merthyn, in 1982, and by an infant son and three grandsons, Randy Shumate, Tim Shumate and David Vyverman. She is survived by her daughters Sandra Christiansen, Charles, Barbara Vyverman Matt, Debra Hokanson Jim, and her son, Art Nicholls Gay. She leaves behind eight grandchildren: Robin Villanueva Rudy, Terri Hadley David, Lee Shumate Joyce, Charles Christiansen Ronna, Andy Vyverman Sally, Betsy Bailly Trent, Steven Hokanson Cyndi, Arthur Nicholls Jeremiah Cohick, Adrienne Nicholls-JohnsonJeoff. In addition, she is also survived by 28 great-grandchildren and 17 great-great grandchildren. Visitation will be on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North. A Celebration of Ruth's life will be held on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 1 p.m. Mission Park Funeral Chapels North. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made in Ruth's honor to your favorite charity.

Tributes

Ruth Davison Nicholls

September 24, 1916 - February 22, 2015