Brenda Sue Nicklas, the most beautiful, precious, and loving wife, and mother passed away Tuesday June 15, 2021, after a long and courageous bout of cancer.

Brenda was born June 22, 1946, to Joe Wilson Slider and Annie Clifton in Mesquite, TX. She grew up in Mesquite and graduated from Mesquite High School. Brenda met the love of her life in November of 1964, her husband Jerry, in Dallas. They both worked at Sears Roebuck and Co., which made her a mail order bride. Jerry and Brenda met in November, had their first date in December and were married December 26, 1964, by the Kaufman County Judge, due to Jerry being underage. Jerry and Brenda moved to Abilene in February 1986. Shortly after, Brenda started working at Abilene Eye Institute until her retirement in 2009. Brenda loved her family and being a mom the most. She loved to cook, garden, and take trips up until she got sick.

Brenda and Jerry loved to travel. They started off in the Bahamas, Key West and up the East Coast into Maine and British Columbia. The Western states, from Texas into Alaska. Their most special trip was in 2014 for their 50th Wedding Anniversary. They scheduled a trip to Italy, France, and the Queen’s Palace.

In all their trips, Brenda found the one she loved the most as of Tuesday, it is the one with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Brenda is preceded in death by her mother, Annie Clifton; her father, Joe Wilson Slider; and her sister Rita Mims.

She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Jerry Nicklas; 2 daughters: Amber Nicklas of Kansas City, Missouri and April Thompson and husband, Robby Thompson of Abilene; 4 grandchildren: Matthew Nicklas of Austin, Tx, Hannah Toms of Tuscola, TX, Danika and Emma Thompson of Abilene, TX.

Visitation will be Friday, June 18, 2021, at Girdner Funeral Home from 6-8 pm, located at 141 Elm St. Abilene, TX 79602. Funeral Service will be held June 19, 2021, at Southwest Park Baptist Church at 3:00 pm, located at 2901 S. 20th Abilene, TX 79605. Burial will be Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at the Texas State Veteran’s Cemetery in Abilene at 1:00 pm, located at 7457 W Lake Rd, Abilene, TX 79601.