Christina Nichols

Beloved wife, mother and Nanna, Christina Mae Nichols was called home by her Lord and Savior August 1, 2004.

She was born Nov. 17, 1933, in Terre Haute, Ind., to Mary Rachel Sappington and Vangel Nitchoff. She was raised in the spotlight. She sang and danced for the Armed Forces during the war. She moved to California at the age of nine, where she later met and married her life-long love, Ted L. Nichols. Settling in Napa Valley, Calif., they raised their three children.

In 1976, they moved to Montana and eventually chose the Flathead Valley as home. Married for 52 years, Ted and Chris enjoyed a lifetime of happiness together.

Chris is preceded in death by her mother, Mary Rachel Sappington, father, Vangel Nitchoff, siblings Phillip Allie, Bill Allie and Charlotte Walters, and grandson Scotty Nichols.

She is survived by her husband, Ted Nichols, of Columbia Falls; daughters Teddi "Penny" Nichols, of Columbia Falls, and Toni and Rick Chaffin, of Three Forks; son Nick and Vell Nichols, of Missoula; granddaughters Chrissie and Chad Clemons, of Kalispell, and Angela Nichols, of Missoula; grandsons Nicholas Nichols, of Missoula, Ted Chaffin, of St. Louis, Mo., and Bob Chaffin, of Three Forks; great grandson Colby Clemons, of Kalispell; and step-granddaughter Dee Martin and step-great grandchildren Nathan and Raymond Martin.

A void has been left in the lives of her loved ones, but that void will heal over time with the loving memories we have of her. Her eloquence, beauty, love and forgiveness have sustained us and will continue to carry us on. Until we meet again in Heaven, we love you.

Memorial services were held Aug. 5, 2004, at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls with Rev. Tod Fox officiating. A graveside service was conducted Aug. 6 at the Plains Cemetery in Plains.