Judy Nickell

Monday, September 13, 2021
Judy Nickell

SIKESTON — Judy Nickell, 78, died on Sept. 8, 2021, at her home in Sikeston. Judy was born on Sept. 18, 1942, and grew up in Lutesville, Bollinger County, Missouri. Judy was the youngest daughter of Bryan and Trilla Zimmerman and grew up on a farm where she learned the value of hard work and the benefits of hardship. She graduated as valedictorian of Woodland High School in 1960. A classically trained pianist, she studied business administration and music at Southeast Missouri State University, graduating with honors in 1964.

Judy was a teacher. After teaching for a short time at Normandy High School in St. Louis, she married her college sweetheart, Larry Nickell on June 6, 1965. They settled for a time in Chaffee, Missouri, moving shortly thereafter to Sikeston, where they would start a family and live their lives. After the birth of their son, Judy moved from teaching in the classroom to teaching her love of piano in her living room to many in this community. Many, both musically inclined and not, benefited from her love of music, strict discipline and precise sense of timing.

Judy returned to the classroom in 1978 and taught business classes at the Sikeston Junior High and then at the High School. Although having no formal education in computers, she and other teachers in the business school were instrumental in bringing technology to the students of Sikeston in the early 1980s by obtaining a grant for the school’s first computer network. She taught business and computer classes until her retirement in 2000. After retiring from SPS, Judy loved spending time with her daughter’s dogs and going to Kentucky Lake. Although retired, she never stopped teaching, remaining active in her church and community.

With no organist, the First United Methodist Church in Sikeston asked Judy to “stand in” while they found someone suitable for the job. She then taught herself classical organ and remained organist of the First United Methodist Church for 38 years. She played for countless plays, church services, weddings, and funerals. She enjoyed accompanying talented vocalists and tolerated accompanying the mediocre.

Judy was predeceased by her parents, her brother, Bill, and a sister, Verna. She is survived by her husband, Larry, her son, Bryan (Sonya) Nickell, and her daughter, Dr. Jennifer (Alan) Nickell-Scheeter, all of Sikeston. She is also survived by her brother Jim Zimmerman of Omaha, Nebraska, and was predeceased by his wife, Jo Ann Zimmerman, sister-in-law, and good friend.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Sikeston. A memorial service will follow at 4 p.m. In true Judy fashion, masks will be required, and vaccinations strongly encouraged.


The family requests memorials to either the Sikeston Bulldog Panty, 604 Elm St., Sikeston, MO 63801 or Missouri Delta Medical Center Foundation, 1008 N. Main St., Sikeston, MO 63801.