Janet Hale Nicks

Janet Hale Nicks went to be with the Lord on Monday, August 22, 2016. She passed away in Denison, Texas, at the age of 80 years, five months and 12 days. Janet was born in Dallas, Texas on March 10, 1936, to Jesse and Florence Hale.  Florence later married Frank Barnett with whom she had four sons. Although born in “Big D”, she would spend the rest of her childhood near the Red River close to the cotton fields of Oklahoma near towns like Chattanooga and Davidson.  In later years, as an adult, she would talk about those early days, including being the bigger sister to some “awnry” brothers.  Her childhood came to an end when she graduated from Victory High School in Tillman County, Oklahoma, in 1954, where she lettered as a basketball guard. She was united in marriage to Arlin D. Nicks on February 5, 1954.  The two would begin a long journey that would take them many places in their travels.  In their early years of marriage the two would have four children, Sharon, Diane, John and Joe. Then, it was back to school for Janet.  In 1974, she would graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree from Oklahoma College of Liberal Arts.  Then, in 1978, she received a Masters of Education from Oklahoma University. Janet had many different careers over the years.  But, she always enjoyed children.  She became a kindergarten teacher in the 1970's at Middleberg Elementary School, in Grady County, Oklahoma.  In later years, she would work in counseling and teaching. Throughout her years in the Frederick, Chickasha and Durant areas many of her attributes would shine at various times.  In marriage, she always was a loving wife to her husband Arlin.  As a mother, she taught both her daughters and her sons the responsibilities necessary for adulthood. As a teacher of young kindergarten students she guided very young minds, preparing them for the early stages of reading and math.  Finally, Janet also had a better understanding of the world and its people, because she took time to travel with Arlin to places like Russia, Australia, Canada and many other locations.   In her later years, after her children had grown up, Janet had one more opportunity to utilize her gardening expertise.  The couple had moved to a home in Durant, Oklahoma.  Their lawn at their new home was essentially dirt in many places.  Janet, in just a few short years, turned the dirt into a luscious green growing landscape that had to be mowed every few days.  Then, in the middle of this landscape, a huge garden was built.  Many in her neighborhood always commented on her yardwork. She was preceded in death by mom, her father, her step-father and husband. Janet is survived by two daughters:  Sharon Nicks Riley (Rob) and Diane Nicks Erickson (Jeff); two sons:  John Arlin Nicks (Kathy) and Joe David Nicks (Constance); eight grandchildren; four brothers:  Roger Barnett, James Barnett, David Barnett and Stanley Barnett; and a sister:  Wilma-Jean Sykes. Orr Gray Gish Funeral Home111 N. 11th StreetFrederick, OK 73542(580) 335-2112