Loretta Hollis Nicholas of Patmos, AR passed from this life and onto her forever home on January 9, 2020 at the age of 86 years old.

Loretta was born on June 14, 1933 in Patmos, AR to Ola Mae Moses Hollis and Joseph Elmore Hollis.  Loretta married T.D. Nicholas on March 17, 1949 and was never far from his side for the next 70 years.  They lived in Stamps before buying 80 acres and building a home in Patmos where they raised their three children: Theresa, Terry Don, and Linda Kay.

Loretta received a nursing degree from Texarkana College and served patients at the Lafayette County Hospital and Hempstead County Memorial Hospital for a number of years before retiring to the farm to work alongside T.D. and that she did well.  She could operate a tractor, work a garden, check the cows on the gator and kill the big bucks.  When it came to fishing, she could hook 'em and cook 'em.  Her biggest joy in life was that of homemaker and entertainer.  Whether you were a member of the deer camp, a friend or one of the grandkids, you would not leave Nanny and Pa's house hungry.  Her tea cakes and chicken and dressing were legendary, and it was impossible to decide which was better, her coconut pie or her chocolate pie.  When she slowed down, you could find her rocking on the front porch, sipping a glass of sweet tea, and admiring her hydrangeas, roses, and sunflowers.  Loretta was a member of the Patmos Church of Christ.  In her later years, she was known as "the queen" at her residence, Heather Manor Nursing Home.  The family would like to thank the staff and nurses there for taking such good care of our "Nanny," "Ma," and "Mother."

Loretta is survived by two daughters: Theresa Murphy and Linda Kay Law; a brother: Joe Carrol Hollis; six grandchildren: Jerry Don Rogers, Terry Michael "Mickey" Rogers, Linda "Sissy" Goodner, Dana Minter, Jessica Harriman, and Jess Cole Law II; and nine great grandchildren: Caleb Rogers, Mattie Rogers, Leslie Goodner, Skylir and Kristin Cole Phillips, Rye Minter, Mary Ella and Rhett Harriman, and Jess Cole Law III.  She is preceded in death by her parents, seven sisters and three brothers: Betra Campbell, Verdo Hollis, Myrtis Blankenship, Joe Hollis Jr., Imojean Powell, Anetia Hair, Vertis Moses, Mary Frances Cole, Bennie Jane Martin, and Opal Blankenship; her husband, T.D. Nicholas, and a son, Terry Don Nicholas.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, January 18, 2020 at A.O. Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Stamps with Mickey May and Jamie Knighton officiating.  Visitation will be at 1PM before the service.  Service under the direction of A.O. Smith Funeral Homes, Inc.

Memorials may be made in Loretta's name to the Patmos Church of Christ, 291 Hempstead 140, Hope, AR 71801.