Nina Pearl Shaw-Nichols, 96, was born on October 23, 1922 in Dallas Texas, to Sandy Shaw and Pearl Eletha Johnson-Shaw. She is preceded in death by her son Brian Nichols and twelve of fourteen siblings.

Nina was educated in the Dallas, Texas public school system, attended cosmetology school in New York City and business school in Kansas City, MO. She was a member of the Vagabond Social Club in the 1940's and 1950's where she made lifelong friends.

Nina was married to Thomas Nichols, her high school sweetheart from 1949 to1961. She was employed by and retired from the Internal Revenue Service as a Tax Examiner. For over 25 years Nina volunteered her bookkeeping skills with Holy Name parish, Risen Christ parish and the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. She loved her church family and volunteered in many roles over the years with the Parish Council, and the Rosary and Alter Society.

Nina Nichols loved her many nieces and nephews, however it was no secret how much she doted on her nieces and great-nieces. She had a very personal and special relationship with each one. She also enjoyed a unique "other-mother" mentoring friendship with several of her daughter's friends over many years. One of these special life-long friends recently stated, "Lori, your mom was just so cool".

Nina Pearl departed this life peacefully on November 26, 2018 at the age of 96. She leaves to cherish her memory one daughter, Dr. Lori Blankinship, one brother Willie E. Shaw, two first cousins Wyrtress Shaw-Floyd (Marshall, TX) and Rev. W. J. Shaw (Camellia), Pastor White Rock Baptist Church (Philadelphia, PA). Nina leaves to cherish her memory, a host of nieces and nephews, each of whom claims she loved them best! She also leaves two life-long sisters of the heart, friends for over 70 years, Cleopal Jolivet and Maxine Thomas, both of Las Vegas, NV. Locally, celebrating her memory are Nina's centenarian friend Corinne Spells and her daughter JoAnn Evans; two special kind-hearted friends and care givers Geneva Coleman (Sr. Companion) and Debbie Thomas (Triple TLC-Senior Care). Beverly Cottman (Minneapolis, MN) and Edith Marie Hainey (Kansas City). Both Beverly and Edith are daughters of women who were part of a group of lifelong friends of Nina's. Our Mersington Family, especially Ronald and Vanessa Pulliam. Thank you all for your many visits and thoughtfulness over the years, remaining close to Nina until the end of her life, visiting and calling often and sending cards and gifts.

Memorial services Saturday, December 8, 2:00 p.m. at Duane E. Harvey Funeral Directors. Services conducted by Duane E. Harvey Funeral Directors. Condolences may be shared on our website.