Martha (Berry) Nichols, 80, died Saturday, December 20, 2025 in Clinton, Missouri. She was a life-long Clinton resident. She is survived by one son, Richard Tillman Nichols (Lauren), and one grandson, Alexander William Nichols, all of Clinton.
Mary Martha Berry was born September 17, 1945 in Clinton, MO and was a fifth generation Henry Countian through her mother’s family. Her parents were Robert Lee and Esther Aldah (Tillman) Berry. Martha often said that she was born at a wonderful time. World War II was just ending and the country was united in a spirit of hope for a wonderful future. She always knew she lived in the best country in the world and pride and security were magical ingredients for a happy childhood.
Martha attended Washington Elementary School. She was a Camp Fire Girl from third grade through high school, earning the Torch Bearer Award. The Clinton High School Class of 1963 formed a life-long bond and growing up in Clinton was like having an extended family, knowing someone who lived on nearly every block in every part of town.
In 1967 Martha completed her Bachelor of Science degree at William Woods College for Women in Fulton, MO. She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega. She especially valued her college experience for the opportunity to form new and lasting friendships with interesting people from many parts of the country, and once commented that she left William Woods with the confidence that she could do anything that she wanted to do.
Shortly before graduation, Martha met Richard Wilson Nichols from Chillicothe, MO. On December 2, 1967 they were married at the First Presbyterian Church in Clinton. After teaching Business two years, Martha became the Food Service Director at Wetzel Hospital in Clinton and then became the first Director of Dietary Services at the new Golden Valley Memorial Hospital in Clinton, a position that she enjoyed for ten years.
In 1982 Martha had an opportunity for a sales career. She established Nichols Associates, a sales agency, and became an independent manufactures’ representative for multiple commercial food service equipment manufacturers. She selected and contracted wholesale distributors and sold refrigerated equipment to food service equipment dealers and corporate chain accounts, including supermarket chains, fast-food and convenience store chains. Customers included corporate offices of Wal-Mart in Bentonville, Arkansas, Pizza Hut in Wichita, Kansas, and Casey’s General Stores in Ankeney, Iowa. It was and extremely competitive but very rewarding career and Martha fully realized that it would never have been possible without lots of support and encouragement from Rick. In 2010, after 28 years, she sold Nichols Associates and at the time was considered to be the first, and only, woman in the commercial food service equipment industry to successfully establish and totally own her own sales agency.
Most important in Martha’s life were Rick, Jeb and Richard. She was happy to have had a career with a flexible schedule so that she could participate in numerous activities with Rick and the boys. Their son, Jeb, died in a car accident in 1995 when he was a twenty year old college student. She was diagnosed with cancer in 1999 and underwent many surgeries and treatments under the care of the Mayo Clinic for the following 26 years.
Martha recently said that she was very fortunate. She had loving and supportive parents, grew up in a wonderful town, was married fifty-five years to Rick, had two great sons, a darling grandson, and a very successful career. Her life was complete.
She was a member of the Clinton Methodist Church, served as President of Clinton Study Club, and was a Regent and 50 year member of Udolpha Miller Dorman Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, (DAR). She was President of the Henry County Library Board of Trustees and was a life-member of the Henry County Historical Society. Martha liked history and was particularly fond of genealogy. She worked over sixty years on her family tree and especially enjoyed helping friends find their ancestors.
Martha was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard Wilson Nichols; and son, John Edward Berry (Jeb) Nichols. Survivors include her son, Richard Tillman Nichols (Lauren), grandson, Alexander William Nichols; sister, Margaret (Berry) Conrad (Bruce), Zionsville, Indiana; and nieces, Sara (Conrad) Conley (Andrew), Mason, Ohio and Dr. Susan (Conrad) Billups (Jeff), Indianapolis, IN; her sister-in-law, Nan (Nichols) Chapman, Kansas City, MO; niece, Mary Nan (Chapman) Dupont Thiessen (Mike), Leawood, KS; nephews, David Chapman (Angela), Kansas City, Phillip Chapman, Kansas City and Thomas Nichols Chapman (Lindy), Chillicothe, MO; and step-grandsons, Maddax and Sawyer Nicholson; and a host of additional nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, December 28, 2025 at the Clinton Methodist Church. Interment will be in Englewood Cemetery at a later date. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Clinton Methodist Church or to the Henry County Historical Society. Services under the direction of the Bradley & Hadley Funeral Home, Clinton. Condolences may be left online at www.bradleyhadley.com.
