Frances Louise Nickens

Frances Louise Nickens, age 94, of Jefferson City, Mo. and formerly of Fort Myers, Florida, passed away on Sunday, July 8, 2018, at St. Joseph's Bluff in Jefferson City, Mo. She was born on August 10, 1923, in Piggott, Arkansas, the daughter of Clifford Gales and Agnes (Hunt) Gales. She was married on January 5, 1943, in St. Louis, Mo. to John R. Nickens who preceded her in death on December 24, 1990. Frances attended school in Malden, Mo. and graduated from Malden High School. She spent her life caring for her family and cherished her time with them. She also loved to read. A homemaker, Frances worked in a factory making bullets during World War II. Survivors include her children, Pat Derryberry-Felter (Richard) of Jefferson City, Mo. and Linda Dunker (Paul) of Highland, Illinois; one daughter-in-law, Rebecca Nickens of Houston Texas; one brother-in-law, Clyde Hawes (Carolyn) of Sikeston, Mo.; 11 grandchildren, Dean Derryberry (Rhonda) of Carthage, Mo., Molly Bexten (Gregg) of Jefferson City, Mo., Suzane Roberts (Mike) of Carthage, Mo., Jeff Derryberry (Kelly) of Carthage, Mo., Jennipher Graf (Phil) of W. Chicago, Illinois, Tom Dunker (Jamie) of Knoxville, Illinois, Jane Attaway (John) of Germantown, Illinois, Jessica Hester (Chad) of Germantown, Illinois, John Nickens IV (Marylea), of Houston, Texas, Benjamin Nickens (Tana) and Gabe Nickens, both of Dallas, Texas; 33 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. Frances was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Agnes Gales; her husband, John Nickens; four siblings; and her son, John R. Nickens III who passed away in 2017. Frances' family will be conducting a service in Piggott, Arkansas on August 4, 2018. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Preferred Hospice, in Columbia, Mo. or St. Joseph Bluffs in Jefferson City, Mo. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com