Melva Lee (Haun) Nichols, 98, passed away peacefully at her home in Conway, Arkansas, early Sunday morning, November 2, 2025. She was surrounded by loved ones.

Viewing will be on Thursday, November 6,2025 from 5:00p.m. until 9:00p.m. at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home in Spearman. Services will be held on Friday, November 7 at 2pm at the Church of Christ in Spearman, Texas. Friends and family are all invited to a Celebration of Life.  Arrangements are under the direction of Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Spearman.

Melva was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob J. and Anna Bell Haun, as well as her three brothers and four sisters. Melva was the youngest of seven children — Othel, Marvin, Clayton, May Gonser, Marjorie "Midgie" Callstrom and Mary Schumann — and grew up on a farm in the Texas Panhandle. Melva and her sister Mary were real-life "Rosie the Riveters" during World War II, working in an defense factory along with her sisters Midgie and May in San Diego, California.

Melva met her future husband, Arthur Leroy "Lee" Nichols, at a dance in Farwell, Texas, and it was instant attraction. Lee was a band leader, country swing bandleader, songwriter and very popular radio personality. They were married 55 years. Melva was always ready to travel at a drop of a hat, whether it was a vacation or a move. In later life, Melva would go back and forth, living with daughter, Marilyn in Arkansas and son, Johnny in New Mexico.

Melva is survived by her son, Johnny Nichols (Esther); daughter, Marilyn Davis (Alan); grandchildren: Monica Lee (Richard), Alanna Mahan (Chad), Jessica Davis, Arthur Nichols; and six great-grandchildren: Harley, Ava, Jai, Roxie, Ajna and Percy. She will be remembered for her wry humor, quiet strength, and the love she shared with everyone fortunate enough to know her.