Mary Ann Nichols, age 72, of Arkadelphia, passed from this life on Wednesday, January 30, 2008, at Twin Rivers Health & Rehabilitation Center in Arkadelphia. She was born on February 7, 1935 in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Thomas E. and Ermaline Ruel Nichols. Mary Ann retired from Henderson State University on January 31, 2006 after serving as secretary to the President and receptionist for the Honors College. She also was a secretary for the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and a food caterer for American Airlines. Mary Ann was a member of New Life Church. She was preceded in death by her father. Mary Ann is survived by her mother, Ermaline Nichols of Arkadelphia, one brother, Thomas Claude Nichols and his wife, Wanda, of Plymouth, MI, and one niece Victoria Wasden of Arkadelphia. Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM Saturday, February 2, 2008 at New Life Church in Arkadelphia, with Rev. Martin Jones and Rev. Steve Willingham officiating. Interment will be in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in Arkadelphia. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM until service time on Saturday at the church. Pallbearers will be Preston Jones, Jeremy Jones, Jack Digby, Larry Rivas, Keith Runyan and David Smith. Honorary pallbearer will be Ronnie Barham. Memorials may be made to New Life Church, P. O. Box 492, Arkadelphia, AR 71923. Visit www.welchfh.net to sign the online guestbook.