Deceased Name: Bessie Epperley Nickles

© Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home

Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

Bessie "Rusty" Nickles, a resident of Caddo, Oklahoma and beloved family member passed from this life in Durant, Oklahoma on Sunday, March 9, 2014 at the age of 88 years and 4 months. She was born to Charley and Jennie Palmer Epperley in Sasakwa, Oklahoma on Monday, November 9, 1925.

She married her partner for life, Billie Lee Nickles in Caddo, Oklahoma on Sunday, April 23, 1944.

Rusty was a graduate of Matoy High School then she furthered her education by earning a bachelors degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma. She was a proud member of the Matoy Girls Basketball team that went to the State Championship Tournament in 1941. Rusty carried her love of the sport into her teaching experience as a coach at Caddo High School where she also taught art to her students.

She was a member of the Baptist faith.

Rusty loved to seek out hidden treasures at auctions and garage sales.

Mrs. Nickles is survived by her sons, Fred Nickles and wife Janet of Caddo, Oklahoma, Charley Nickles of Caddo, Oklahoma and Roy Nickles of Tulsa, Oklahoma; daughter, Wanda Tidwell and husband Don of Caddo, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Bill Nickles of Bakersville, California, Lee Nickles and wife Kara of Caddo, Oklahoma, Macy Nickles of Melissa, Texas, Bo Nickles of Durant, Oklahoma and Aaron Nickles and wife Serena of Glenwood Springs, Colorado and Tyler Nickles and wife Lorianne of Pottsboro, Texas; great-grandchildren, Mitch, Allison, Emery and Kendrick Nickles and brother, Charles Epperley of Durant, Oklahoma.

Mrs. Nickles was preceded in death by her parents, Charley and Jennie Epperley; husband, Billie Nickles, and sister, Josie Boydstun.

Family hour will be from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at the Holmes ~ Coffey ~ Murray Funeral Home in Durant, Oklahoma.

A graveside service in her memory will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at the Matoy Cemetery in Matoy, Oklahoma with Sammie Adams officiating. The pallbearers will be Rusty's grandsons and great grandson.

Family and friends may send online condolences and view tributes at www.holmescoffeymurray.com.

Services are under the direction of Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home, Durant, Oklahoma.