Joan W. Nichols

Joan Nichols and her husband, Gilbert, retired to Hot Springs in 1997. While making improvements to their new home, they joined the congregation of a local church and Joan became involved with several local organizations, including the Sheppard's Center, the Women's Welcome Club and most importantly to her, the Friends of the Library and its fundraising activities. Joan was also active in her church's activities and belonged to several bridge clubs.

Her husband passed away in 2007.

At age 84, Joan passed away August 24, 2017.

As a pioneering business woman, Joan Nichols used her knowledge and experience to mentor countless young women for nearly half a century. In 1961 she became the second female to graduate with a bachelors degree in business administration from the University of Missouri at Kansas City. Thirty years later she added a masters degree in human relations development. Over the course of her career she held several administrative positions, was among Merrill Lynch's first female stockbrokers, owned two women's apparel stores in Wichita, Kansas and retired after teaching management, marketing and finance courses at Emporia State University in Kansas. Joan was also a licensed aircraft pilot and an award-winning glider pilot. Her love of dogs was not limited to her own.

Joan Nichols has three sons: Michael, Stephen and Christopher who reside in Washington state, Florida and Oklahoma. Two grandsons live in Oklahoma, another in Missouri. The songs and scriptures you have heard today were selected by her for this final farewell.