Remembering Martha Nichols
Our museum family is saddened to share the passing of longtime board member and life Society member Martha (Berry) Nichols, who died Saturday, December 27, 2025, in Clinton. Martha was Clinton through and through. Born here in 1945, she was raised in a town she often described as “one big extended family,” and was proud to be a fifth-generation Henry Countian.
She grew up during what she called a hopeful time in American history, when the end of World War II brought a sense of unity and optimism. Those early years shaped her deep love for community, country, and the feeling of belonging that Clinton gave her.
Martha attended Washington Elementary and was a dedicated Camp Fire Girl, earning the Torch Bearer Award. She graduated from the Clinton High School Class of 1963, a class she remained close to throughout her life. After earning her degree from William Woods College in 1967, she often said that her time there gave her the confidence to pursue anything she set her mind to.
Her career reflected that spirit. She taught Business, led food service departments at both Wetzel Hospital and the newly opened Golden Valley Memorial Hospital, and later built a successful 28‑year career as the founder of Nichols Associates, which represented major commercial food service manufacturers nationwide.
Martha was proud of the life she built—her marriage of fifty‑five years to her loving husband, Rick, her two great sons, Jeb and Richard, her grandson, and the many friendships she formed along the way.
She gave back generously to the community she loved, serving in leadership roles with the Clinton Methodist Church, the Clinton Study Club, the Udolpha Miller Dorman Chapter of the DAR, and the Henry County Library Board of Trustees.
At the Henry County Historical Society, Martha’s passion for genealogy and local history made her an invaluable resource. She spent more than sixty years researching her family tree and delighted in helping others discover their own stories. Her knowledge of Clinton and Henry County was unmatched; she was the person you called when you needed an answer—and she always had one.
Martha served on our board for many years, including at the time of her passing. She was forward‑thinking, practical, and deeply committed to moving the museum into the future. You never had to guess where she stood on an issue, and we loved her for that clarity and honesty. She was a special presence here, and her absence will be felt for a long time.
We are grateful for her years of service, her wisdom, and her unwavering belief in the importance of preserving Henry County’s history. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and all who were fortunate enough to know her.
December 31, 2025. Written by Mark Rimel, a volunteer at the Henry County Museum.
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