Mary Ann Roll Nickell

Mary Annette Nickell, 89, long time resident of Columbia, TN, passed away Monday, March 6, 2017, in Brentwood, TN. She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Dr. Lawrence Ray Nickell.A memorial service will be conducted Saturday at 1:00 P.M. at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Joe Evans officiating. The family will visit with friends Saturday from 12:00 P.M. to service time at the church. A graveside service will be held Friday, March 10, 2017, at 1:30 P.M. at Camp Nelson National Cemetery in Nicholasville, KY. Oakes & Nichols Funeral Directors are assisting the family with arrangements. Born April 22, 1927, in Hazard KY, she was the daughter of the late Katherine and William Roll. She was raised in Hazard, KY and New Iberia, LA. She attended Brenau University and graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Bacteriology. It was at UK where she met her future husband. They were married on June 18, 1949, after he proposed asking her to be the wife of a country doctor. Mrs. Nickell worked as a bacteriologist in Louisville, KY, helping support her husband during medical school.She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, The Quaestio Club, Maury County Arts Guild and a long-time volunteer at Maury County Hospital. She loved listening to opera, playing bridge, visiting museums, reading, sailing, and spending time with her grandchildren. Dr. and Mrs. Nickell enjoyed many years of worldwide travel, especially appreciating Elder hostel educational travel programs. Always a Kentucky Wildcat, she never forgot the UK fight song.She is survived by three daughters, Kitty (Allen) Brewer of Columbus, MS, Nannette (Drew) Hunter of Brentwood, TN, and Courtney Brady (Johnn Knapp) of San Juan Bautista, CA; son, Lawrence R. "Larry" Nickell Jr. of Columbia, TN; six grandchildren, Kit (Sarah) Hunter, Andy (Jordan) Hunter, Catherine Hunter, James Brewer, Caleb Brewer, and Nicholas Brewer; and a great grandson, Avree Brewer.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 801 South High Street, Columbia, TN 38401, Maury County Public Library, 211 West 8th Street, Columbia, TN 38401 or Guardian Hospice, 741 Cool Springs Blvd, Suite 102, Franklin. TN 37067.Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com. The family would like to thank the caregivers at Brighton Gardens in Brentwood and Guardian Hospice.