In Loving Memory

Damon Carson Nichols and Mary Iris Wright were married Aug 24, 1919 in Texas. They were young, devout Christians, and each knew they had a calling to serve as they began their married lives together.

Mary was a daughter to Rev. Christopher Columbus Wright and Martha Rebecca Ellisor who lived in Burke, Angelina County, Texas. Her older brother John William Wright became a Presbyterian Minister and a Pastor in the southwest. Her younger brother Henry "Huey" Dawson Wright became a Methodist Minister.

Mary's Paternal grandparents were Rev. Henry Dawson Wright and Martha Ann Jacks. Henry Wright was appointed the first Pastor of historic Ryan Chapel Methodist-Episcopal Church from 1866 - 1877 when he died. Ryan Chapel United Methodist Church is thriving and an integral part of the community in the 21st Century, located in Angelina County, Texas. Rev. Henry Wright and Martha Wright, and their son Rev. Christopher and his wife Martha Rebecca are all buried in Ryan Chapel Cemetery. There are many clergy in the Wright family through the generations.

Damon Nichols was a Minister in the Salvation Army in the US Census 1930 enumerated Apr 8, 1930 by Mrs. S. C. Ray in Justice Precinct 3, Austin, Texas. Their nephew Lee Pence age 16 was residing with them. He was the son of William Oscar Pence and Minnie Lee Wright, Mary's sister. Minnie, the mother of Oscar "Lee" Pence died shortly after giving birth to him. He died at age 21 and was buried beside his mother Minnie Lee (Wright) Pence in Ryan Chapel Cemetery, Burke, Angelina County, Texas.

Damon Carson Nichols died Nov 23, 1950. John A. Morrison of The Salvation Army in Dallas, Texas applied for a military headstone and signed the application. Damon Nichols, Pvt. 28th Company, 165th Depot Brigade, US Army. He enlisted December 21, 1917 and received an honorable discharge December 17, 1918. His wife Mary Nichols signed the application attesting that he was eligible.

They served in Salvation Army for many years. Mary died August 2, 1962, and was buried in Restland Memorial Park, Dallas, Dallas County, Texas by her husband. Their headstones engraving states they Majors in the Salvation Army. They are buried in a section that is for Officers of the Salvation Army, a tribute to their lives of service to others.