Marilyn R. Nichols

Marilyn Rae Nichols, 67 of Oklahoma City passed in her home with her husband by her side Tuesday, April 24th.

Marilyn was born in Spring Hill, Iowa on July 26, 1950 to Kenneth William Blackford and Shirley Fern (McGuire) Blackford.

Raised in Spring Hill, Iowa, she was an entrepreneur at a young age.  She found a love of working in the people entertainment business.   She loved people and they loved her.   She had a great head for business and owned or managed several businesses that dealt with entertaining the public.   She has owned or managed several local bars, owned a bowling alley, a tour bus, got her licenses to sell real estate, and currently is the proud owner of the Blu Bayou where she has met numerous co-workers and friends and loves them all like family members.

Marilyn found great joy and love in being a wife, sister, mother, grandmother, an aunt, and a good friend.

Marilyn was very family oriented.   She loved having family gatherings at her home and loved to show off how great of a cook she was.   She took over the holiday gatherings and was a great host for the Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners.   She loved to entertain and to be entertained.

She had a distinct beautiful flair for style and fashion, which showed in every aspect of her life.   From the clothes she wore to the home and business decorating she had done.   Marilyn kept a beautiful yard and maintained the vehicles she drove.   She did not care for ordinary.   She could take something plain and ordinary and make it classy and beautiful.   She had a flair for striped animal print, which was obvious in her clothing and her home decor.

She had a love for dogs and adored her dog Mimi.   She loved old songs and going to the movies.  She also loved weekends in the camper and boating at the lake with friends.   Marilyn loved going on vacations with friends and family.   She enjoyed the game of golf and had a knack for winning on the slot machines.

Marilyn loved and adored all her family members and loved being a grandma to all her grandkids.   She loved going to all their sporting events, their dance recitals, and loved to hear the stories of those that she missed.   She always tried to make visits with them a special occasion.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Denny Blackford, and her sisters, Linda and Soundra.

Marilyn is survived by her husband, Tommy “Butch” Nichols; son, Joe and his wife Malinda, and their daughter, Samantha; granddaughters, Brooklyn and Morgan; grandson, Nicholas; son, Jim and his wife Tonja, and their daughter, Ravyn; step-daughter, Nikki and her husband Craig, and their sons, Hunter, Hagen, Hudson, and Hank; step-son, Brian and his wife Amber, and their daughter, Brenna, and their sons, Bryson, Brody, Branson, and Brakston; two brothers, Kenny Blackford and Randy Blackford; one sister, Vicky and her husband Cloyd; numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Marilyn was loved and will be dearly missed by all that knew her.

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