Charlie Mae Nichols

Charlie Mae Nichols, 88, of Casa Grande died Nov. 2, 2008.

The memorial service and celebration of life will be at 4 p.m. Monday at J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens House.

Ms. Nichols was born in Miami, Ariz., the only child of Goffrey and Bernice Sain. She grew up in the Globe-Miami area and in Payson and other small communities of northern Arizona. Times were tough and her father made sure she knew how to hunt, fish, camp and cook. After graduation from Miami High School she married and started a family. In the mid-1940s she moved to Farmington, N.M., and lived there until 1961. Homesick for Arizona, she brought her family back and settled in Casa Grande.

Through the years she was a bookkeeper for Casa Grande Warehouse (now called Arizona Grain) and Tri-Valley Pump Co. until she retired. She loved life and always wanted to have horses, dogs, cats and kids around. She became co-owner of Nichols Boarding & Training Stables, where she was able to do the things she had dreamed of while growing up. She was active in 4-H horse projects and dedicated time to teaching children how to ride, show and win ribbons at county fairs.

Survivors include a daughter, Suzanne Ralston of Casa Grande; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sons, Ted and Don Templeton.