Cathy Lou Nichol, 78, of Lee's Summit, Missouri, and formerly of Orrick, Blue Springs, and Independence, passed away peacefully at her home on the evening of June 25, 2026.

She was born on November 11, 1947, in Coffee County, Tennessee, to Leo Floyd Bailey and Esther Arlene (Keller) Bailey. She graduated from Raytown South High School with the Class of 1965. From there she would go on to build a career as a beautician that spanned 45 years. This was a calling that suited her perfectly, and for nearly half a century she made people feel cared for and welcomed. That same warmth and caring carried into every other corner of her life. Her little sister Becky recalls Cathy taking away her scissors more than once after fixing botched home haircuts, all the while knowing her little sister would just go buy another pair and the cycle would continue.

On September 12, 1974, Cathy married Larry Dale Nichol in Las Vegas, Nevada. They were married for 48 years, until Larry preceded her in death on December 17, 2022. Together they made a happy home for their daughters (Amy and Laura), and Cathy was the heart of it.

Few things brought her more joy than her children, grandchildren, great-grandchild, nieces, nephews, and siblings. She especially enjoyed gathering the people she loved around the table, and she was a wonderful cook. Cathy loved preparing each person's favorite meal, whether it was cabbage rolls, Swiss steak, fried chicken, chicken fried steak, chicken and noodles, or mashed potatoes. Her chocolate fudge, a family recipe, was requested among family and friends alike. When the dishes were cleared, the games usually came out. Cathy was always ready for a game of cards. Great family poker nights kept everyone laughing and together a little longer. When Cathy was cooking, people gathered, and when Cathy was betting her hand in poker, people folded. As the good, honest, and caring woman was betting her hand, you knew yours would need to be excellent or you would risk donating your funds to her.

To know her was to love her wit, determination, and selflessness with just enough orneriness. She cared for others selflessly to the very end as a woman of faith and a member of the Orrick Christian Church.

Cathy is survived by: daughter, Amelia (Amy) Elizabeth (Redford) West and son-in-law, JD West; daughter, Laura Kay (Nichol) O'Dell and son-in-law, Timothy J. O'Dell; grandchildren: Bailey E. West, James Alex West, Jesse A. West, Kristin K. (O'Dell) Wilson, Blaine M. Wilson, Abigail J. O'Dell, and Zachary J. O'Dell; great-grandchild, Blair M. Wilson; sister, Becky Arlene (Bailey) Schrieber; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by father, Leo Floyd Bailey; mother, Esther Arlene (Keller) Bailey; husband, Larry Dale Nichol; sister, Connie Sue (Bailey) Baldwin; and brother, James Leo Bailey.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at Orrick Christian Church, with Pastor Art Endsley officiating. A private inurnment will be held at a later date at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Building Fund for the Orrick Christian Church. Arrangements are under the care of Gowing Funeral Home in Orrick, Missouri.