Vantrease, Brenda “B. J.”

Brenda “B. J.” Vantrease, 59, of Portales, died Sunday, Jan. 22, 2006, at her home in Portales.

She was born Sept. 30, 1946, in Poplar Bluff, Mo., to Betty Jane and John Thomas Vantrease. She grew up in Dora and graduated from high school in 1965. She married Andy Nichols on Oct. 29, 1965, in Portales. She and her mother ran the Dora Café for a number of years. She was also employed at Roosevelt General Hospital and later at Portales Valley Mills. In 1987, she moved to Missouri to care for her ailing father. After his death she returned to Portales to make her home.

While in Missouri she was employed as a certified nursing aide. She had been disabled for some time. Family members said she was a devoted mother and grandmother who enjoyed Christmas. She also enjoyed reading romance and western novels and watching late-night television.

She was preceded in death by both of her parents.

Survivors include her husband, David A. “Andy” Nichols of Portales; son, Michael Nichols (and wife, Candice) of Portales; daughters, Jenee Raiche (Steve) of Portales and Lisa Nichols (Jeff McGarvey) of Cleburne, Texas; grandchildren, Samantha Eminger, Timothy Eminger, Mellanie Nichols, Larissa Nichols, Ariel Nichols, Brittany Shae Nichols, Stephanie Brae Nichols, Jonathan Raiche and Jaden Briar Nichols; brothers, Jerry Lee Rose and Harold D. Rose, both of Portales; and sisters, Sharon Vantrease-Eagleton and Sheila Vantrease both of Grand Rapids, Mich.

Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.