Vera Maxine Black

Vera Maxine Nichols Black, 86, of Abilene, passed away Sunday, July 8, 2012 at a local hospital. Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm Wednesday July 11, 2012 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Ed Jenkins and Weldon Gann will officiate. Burial will follow in the Stith Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Tuesday at the funeral home. Maxine was born September 15, 1925 to A.D. "Dewey" and Zola (Large) Stevens in Abilene, Texas. She moved to Roby, Texas as a small child and attended school in Roby. She worked at Hendrick Medical Center and the Abilene State School as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. Before retiring in 1993, she worked as a private duty nurse for five years. Maxine enjoyed quilting, gardening and table games. She loved all of her children and grandchildren and was so proud of all of their accomplishments. Maxine had been a faithful member of the Church of Christ since 1944. She was a member of the 14th and Oak Church of Christ in Abilene. She was preceded in death by her parents, Admiral Dewey and Zola Pansey (Large) Stevens; three husbands, William E. Black, Sr., J.B. Ben Nichols, Sr. and Gordon Baccus; two brothers, A.J. Stevens Sr. and Joe "Tuffy" Stevens; step-daughter, Betty Lou Salzar; four sisters, Shirley June Stevens, Ruby May Stevens, Geneva Scott, Fannie Belle Jordon; two grandsons, Tommy Warren and John Salazar; two great-grandchildren. Maxine is survived by five sons, William "Bill" Black, Jr. and wife Mary of Abilene, Jerry Don Black and wife Loleat "Babe" of Tuscola, John Barnett Nichols, Jr. and wife Florence of Abilene, Dewey L. Nichols and wife Carolyn of Merkel, and Joe S. Nichols and wife Cynthia of Clyde; one daughter, Melissa Ann Smith and husband Millard of Anson; three step-daughters, Carol Jean Bushong of Iowa Park, Martha Meyers and husband Jim of Vancouver, Washington, and Barbara Abbott and husband Jim of Beeville; one step-son-in-law, Edward Salazar; one sister, Iva Nelle Townzen and husband B.F.; two sisters-in-law, Lucille Stevens and Maxine Stevens; one brother-in-law, C.L. "Pete" Jordan; 28 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. Maxine's family would like to express their gratitude to her faithful caregivers, doctors, the hospital staff at Hendrick Medical Center and the Hendrick Hospice nurses who took such good care of her. Memorials may be given in Maxine's honor to Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory, Abilene, Texas 79601 or to the donor's favorite charity.