Betty Jean Nichols

Lexington, KY Betty Jean (Henry) Nichols, 88, widow of Thomas (Bill) Nichols, passed away October 10, 2017 in Lexington, Kentucky. Betty was a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, teacher, and business woman. She loved animals, giving to worthy causes, and helping those less fortunate than herself. Life started on November 9, 1928 in Neosho, Missouri when she was born to the late Mildred (Blinn) Henry and Thomas Lynn Henry. As a child she moved with her family to Blackford, Kentucky and later to Sturgis, Kentucky. After graduation from Sturgis High School, she attended Bethel College in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Betty continued her college education at Georgetown College in Georgetown, Kentucky where she graduated with a BA in Economics and Business Administration in 1950. At Georgetown, she met and married her husband, Bill, of Inez, Kentucky. Betty was also a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority. Betty and Bill had two children, William, aka Bill Jr. (Susan) Nichols and Jacqueline (Robert) Allen. Bill Jr. and Jackie were both born in Tucson, AZ. Betty and Bill taught high school (business administration and math, respectively) at Warfield High School in Eastern Kentucky and later moved to Louisville, Kentucky. In Louisville, Betty taught in the inner city for Jefferson County schools. Later they moved the family to Minneapolis, Minnesota where Betty continued to hone her business administration skills in a variety of businesses and through substitute teaching. Betty and Bill eventually returned to Kentucky and settled in Lexington in 1971. Upon returning to Lexington, Betty worked in the psychology department at the University of Kentucky and then in 1974, she joined her son in his new business venture which began as Blue Grass Secretarial Services and later became Bluegrass Integrated Communications. As a founding member of the company, she played an integral role in its growth and success, serving in a variety of positions including: secretarial services director, office manager, human resources director, and corporate secretary/treasurer. In addition to her children and their spouses, Betty is also survived by her brother Gerald (Jerry)Thomas Henry of Richmond, Kentucky. Also, her four granddaughters: Melissa Nichols, Atlanta GA; Sunny Allen, San Francisco CA; Samantha Nichols (Kevin) Barry, Lexington KY; Amber Allen (Michael) Colliver, Lexington KY; and one great grandson: Greyson Thomas Colliver. Betty was exceedingly proud of her children, grandchildren, and great grandson. Her near last words were: That Greyson, he is really something else! She is also survived by numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. Betty would also want us to include as survivors her two kitty cats: Mr. Kool and Miss Kitty, who have been adopted by the family. In her Final Wishes Organizer, Betty wrote, I loved life. The family wishes to thank her four caregivers for their love and support. Sherry, Sharon, Julia, and Jen became, not just caregivers, but dear friends and members of our family. Funeral Information At Bettys request, a Celebration of Life service will be held at the Clark Legacy Center, 601 E. Brannon Road (Brannon Crossing), Nicholasville, KY. Please join us for a Gathering of Family and Friends for fellowship and refreshments on Wednesday, November 22, from 2:00-4:00 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Bettys life from 4:00-4:30 p.m. Bettys cremains will be interred with Bills at Rosebud Cemetery, in Marion (Crittenden County), Kentucky.