HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 35
(By Delegate Talbott)
Requesting the Division of Highways to name bridge number
51-15-8.40 on State Route 15 in Diana, Webster County, the
"Dr. Mabel Nichols Bridge."
Whereas, Dr. Mabel Nichols was born June 13, 1913, and was
raised in Diana, West Virginia; and
Whereas, Dr. Mabel Nichols
graduated from Sutton High School,
and then received her two-year Standard Normal Teaching Certificate
from Glenville State College
; and
Whereas, Dr. Mabel Nichols
began her teaching career in Webster
County, was at Cool Springs, and then transferred to Diana
Elementary where she taught until 1944; and
Whereas, Dr. Mabel Nichols
began teaching at Webster Springs
High School in 1944, and after for a brief stint at University High
School in Morgantown from 1953-1955, she returned to Webster
Springs High School to finish her teaching career. Dr. Nichols
also taught fifteen summer terms at Glenville State College
; and
Whereas, Dr. Mabel Nichols
furthered her education by receiving a Bachelor of Arts from Glenville State College in 1941, a Master
of Arts from West Virginia University in 1946 and a life-time
principal certificate, a Bachelor of Science from West Virginia
University in 1955 and a Doctorate of Education from Burton College
and Seminary in 1963
; and
Whereas, In 1964, Dr. Mabel Nichols
was the very first
recipient of the State Department of Education's West Virginia
Teacher of the Year Award - which of all her accomplishments in
this earthly life, was probably the one in which she was most
proud
; and
Whereas, Dr.
Mabel Nichols was also very active outside the
school system, especially in her church. She served as church
school superintendent for twenty-two years and she faithfully
attended Laurel Mountain Church as long as her health permitted.
She was a member of Church Women United and a Delegate to the
Methodist Conference for many years. Dr. Nichols was a 4-H
Allstar, a 4-H leader for fourteen years and taught 4-H classes at
Jackson Mill for seven years. Dr. Nichols was a life member of
Webster Springs Chapter #145 of the Eastern Star, a life member of
Delta Kappa Gamma Society, and an AARP volunteer for more than
twenty-five years. Dr. Nichols was also a diligent community worker who spent many hours on the committee which helped obtain
the Continuous Care Center in Cowen and she was active in the
Webster County Senior Citizens program; and
Whereas, Dr. Mabel Nichols
departed this life on August 8,
2008, at the age of ninety-five; and
Whereas, Upon her passing, Dr. Mabel Nichols
left a $50,000
scholarship fund to be awarded to deserving students attending
Glenville State College
; and
Whereas, It is only fitting and proper that Dr. Mabel Nichols'
many accomplishments and her life-time of service in the field of
education be remembered and acknowledged; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name
bridge number 51-15-8.40 on State Route 15 in Diana, Webster
County, the "Dr. Mabel Nichols Bridge"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is requested
to have made and be placed, signs identifying the bridge as the
"Dr. Mabel Nichols Bridge"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates
forward a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Dr.
Mabel Nichols and the Secretary of the Department of
Transportation.