Martha Jane Nicholas, 97, of Olton, died Thursday, October 29, 2009 in Plainview. Services will be at 2:30 PM, Saturday, October 31, 2009, at the First Baptist Church in Olton. Interment will follow at Olton Cemetery under the direction of Ramage Funeral Directors.

Mrs. Nicholas was born April 6, 1912 in Elmer, Oklahoma to Thomas Harrison Thurmond and Augusta Daniel Thurmond. She moved to Olton in 1930 from Humphries, OK. She married N.B. "Buck" Nicholas December 19, 1932 in Clovis. She was a school bus driver for Olton ISD for ten years and a member of First Baptist Church. She was named Sandhills Pioneer Woman in 2001. She loved working in her yard, quilting, and watching basketball.

She was preceded in death by her husband, N.B. "Buck" Nicholas in 1998.

Survivors include her son, Buster Nicholas and his wife, Anne of Plainview, four daughters, Peggy Carson and her husband, Wayne of Olton, Joyce Hardy and her husband, Don of Midlothian, Sylvia Perkins and her husband, Jim of Amarillo, and Gayle Nicholas of Waxahachie, and a brother, J.C. Thurmond of Altus, OK. She was also blessed with eight grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the Runningwater Draw Care Center P.O. Box 409 Olton, TX 79064 or the Olton Volunteer Ambulance Association P.O. Box 1087 Olton, TX 79064.