Dorothy M. Nichols Bays

Dorothy M. Nichols Bays, 86, of Stephenville, died Tuesday, June 28, 2011 in Stephenville. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, July 2nd at Stephenville Funeral Home Chapel, with Weldon Branham officiating. Burial will follow at Lingleville East End Cemetery. Visitation will be 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Friday at the funeral home. Dorothy was born on January 15, 1925 in Dublin to the late Charles W. and Gladys Keith Nichols. She was proud to be the granddaughter of S.E. and Dora Keith, pioneers who settled in Erath County on the Armstrong Creek and were instrumental in establishing the communities of Highland and Round Grove on the Erath and Comanche County line, dating back to 1862. Dorothy married ‘Bud' Montgomery and a daughter, Marie Sue Montgomery was born on October 17, 1967. Dorothy married Clell Bays in the School Hill Community. Clell preceded her in death September 17, 1992. Dorothy was a Registered Nurse and her favorite part of nursing was post-partum delivery, assisting with the births of many family and friends at Dublin Hospital, and elsewhere. Upon retirement she became a "pink lady" at Harris Methodist Erath County Hospital and was active in her Sunday School Class at First Baptist Church in Stephenville. In declining health for the past five years, she resided in Stephenville at the Community Nursing and Rehab Center, now known as Senior Care Center, where she made the transition from being the nurse on duty to being the patient. There she was cared for by many kind staff members who enjoyed her witty nature for as long as it lasted. Her family is most thankful for the wonderful care she received there. Survivors include her daughter, Sue Montgomery and husband, Randall Perham of Plains, Montana; two granddaughters, Alison Perham Montgomery and Audrey Perham Montgomery of New York City; she is also survived by her step-family; daughter, Cathy Bays Holden; granddaughter, Patti Roberson Willett; there are 28 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren who treasured their Maw-Maw Bays. She was preceded in death by a step-daughter, Patsy Moon; and a step-son, Carroll Bays.