Nellie Anne Nichols, 85, of Delmar, died Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at Coastal Hospice at the Lake in Salisbury. She was born October 17, 1928 in Nanticoke, Maryland, a daughter of the late James Maxwell French and Estelle Rebecca (Somers) French. Nellie Anne started work in retail at a young age, working at J.C. Penney when it was in downtown Salisbury and Sears at the old Salisbury Mall. She also owned her own shop, called Finishing Touches, one of the first bed & bath stores in Salisbury. She retired from Mr. Curley's where she worked as a cashier for many years. She was a former member of the Delmar Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. She loved playing softball and played up until she was in her 30's and stayed in contact with many of her teammates over the past 60 years. She enjoyed traveling with her late husband, Dickie. Some of her favorite trips were to Lancaster, the Outer Banks, and their yearly winter trips to Florida to visit family and friends. She dedicated the last 10 years of her life caring for Dickie at home and then at the Delaware Veterans Home in Milford. She attended the Saturday Nite Lite service at Christ United Methodist Church prior to her failing health issues. She was always supportive of her family's endeavors and more than anything enjoyed watching baseball and soccer games when her great nephews, Justin or Michael, were playing. Chocolate was her favorite food, it didn't matter if it was brownies, pies or ice cream, she loved them all. She is survived by a sister, Mable Lee Ball (Donald); a brother and his wife; special nieces and nephews, Donnie Ball, Sherry Ball, Dawn Sard (Don), Randy French, Donna Shaka (Greg), and great nephews who were like grandsons to her, Justin Ball and Michael Sard. Also surviving are brothers and sister-in-law, Fred and Joyce Nichols and Richard Ring and their families. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Richard "Dickie" Lee Nichols, who passed August 14, 2013; and 2 brothers, Allen French and Maxwell "Buster" French. The family would like to extend a very special thank you to the staff at PRMC, the doctors and staff at Coastal Hospice at the Lake, members of the Delmar Fire Department and Dr. Crouch for his compassionate care over the past many years. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Short Funeral Home in Delmar, where family and friends may call from 10:00 to 11:00. The Reverend William Green will officiate. Interment will follow the services at St. Stephen's Cemetery in Delmar. Memorial contributions may be made in Nellie Anne's memory to Delmar Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 243, Delmar, Delaware 19940, or to Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21803. Arrangements are in the care of Short Funeral Home in Delmar. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com.