Henslee, Marilyn Reed Nichols

Marilyn Reed Nichols Henslee, 89, of Richmond, Texas, passed away peacefully, Saturday, June 4, 2016, in Wichita Falls, Texas.  Born June 20, 1926, at Saint Joseph’s Infirmary in Houston, Texas, Marilyn was the younger daughter of Dr. Clarence Virgil Nichols and Locke Maye Lowrey Nichols of Richmond, Texas.  Growing up in Richmond, Texas, Marilyn graduated from Richmond High School in the Class of 1943.  She then graduated Hockaday Junior College in Dallas, Texas, Class of 1946.  While earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology in the Class of 1948 from the University of Texas at Austin, she met and married Harold Taylor Henslee. They moved to Amarillo, Texas, in 1950, where she lived until returning to Richmond in 1992. While in Amarillo, Marilyn became an avid and skilled bridge player, served as a Cub Scout Den leader, and was an Eagle Scout Mom.  She was active in the Women’s Auxiliary of the Panhandle Geological Society and served as editor of the Panhandle GeoNews.  For many years, Marilyn was actively involved in the local chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW).  Other involvements included the Speaking of Living Study Club, Tascosa High School Band Parents, and Parent Teacher Association in which she served a term as President.  When her children were teenagers, Marilyn entered the workforce where she worked for an optometrist and a dermatologist.  She also worked as an office nurse and medical records clerk for Dr. Billy Rual Jones’ practice in Internal Medicine. In Richmond, Marilyn, affectionately known as “Buttercup” by her friends and family, was active in organizations including Friends of the George Library, the Rosenberg Women’s Club, the Richmond Garden Club, and she also served as a Docent for the Fort Bend Museum.  She enjoyed visiting and eating at local restaurants with close friends and traveling with her sister and friends.  One of her favorite things was to go to the Houston Opera.  Marilyn was a lover of music, an avid reader, and knowledgeable sports fan, being especially fond of the University of Texas Longhorns. She was proud to be a Life Member of the University of Texas Ex-Students Association. Marilyn is survived by two children, son Mark Taylor Henslee, of Lawton, Oklahoma, and daughter Janice Reed Henslee Mixson and Mack Mixson, her husband, of Addison, Texas, and six grandchildren:  Clinton Marshall Mixson and wife, Kellye, of Austin, Texas, Jeffrey Mack Mixson and wife, Jiae Park, of Seoul, South Korea, Will Taylor Henslee of Friday Harbor, Washington, Kimberly Anne Mixson Doyle and husband, Jim Doyle, of Plano, Texas, Rachel Denise Henslee of Friday Harbor, Washington, and Kathryn Kaye Mixson Sheehan and husband, Patrick Sheehan, of Dallas, Texas.  She is also survived by four great-grandchildren:  Brandon Juston Brown, Atticus Finn Mixson, Caden Anthony Doyle, and Jenna Victoria Mixson.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Annella Nichols Fowler, a granddaughter, Emily Kathryn Henslee, and by Harold Henslee, her beloved former husband and lifelong best friend. Having grown up in St. John’s Methodist Church, Marilyn joined Polk Street Methodist Church in Amarillo and was a charter member of Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church in Amarillo, Texas.  After moving back to Richmond in 1992, Marilyn again became a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church, a portion of which is constructed over the former site of her father’s doctor’s office. A memorial service for Marilyn is scheduled at St. John’s United Methodist Church, Richmond, Texas, at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 20, 2016, on her 90^th birthday, with the Rev. Jennifer Veres-Schrecengost officiating.  In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts are encouraged to M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4464, Houston, TX 77210, or online at www.mdanderson.org. Arrangements are under the direction of ARIA Cremation Service and Funeral Home 19310 Preston Road Dallas, Texas 75252 214-306-6700