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Mary Oliver Nicholson, 85, passed away in Greenwood, SC, surrounded by her family as she slipped into the arms of Jesus on January 8, 2022. A funeral service celebrating her life will be held at 2 o'clock on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at St. Luke United Methodist Church, 302 Dunlap Drive, Hartsville, SC, with burial to follow in Magnolia Cemetery. The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall one hour prior to the service. The Reverend Charles Phillips will officiate the service and The Directors of Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home & Crematory are caring for the family. Mary was born in Winter Haven, Florida on February 8, 1936, the only daughter of the late John Chandler Oliver and Ella Elizabeth Walden. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who loved her family. She had one adopted child, Danny, and two grandchildren, Taylor and Bryson whom she loved dearly. After graduating from Hartsville High School, she married William D. "Billy" Nicholson in 1956 and joined him in serving in the US Army in Washington, DC. After returning to Hartsville in the early 1960s, she worked as a receptionist at Sonoco Products Company while completing her Degree in Education at Coker College. She later completed her Masters's Degree in Education from Francis Marion University. She influenced hundreds of students while teaching elementary school at West Hartsville, Washington Street, and Thornwell for over 30 years. She considered St. Luke United Methodist Church her home church and attended for many, many years. Later, she visited Hartsville Advent Church because it was closer to her home on Richardson Circle. She blessed many people with her love for handwritten letters. Words mattered to Mary. Often, it was stated that Billy and Mary owned stock in Hallmark Cards!! For many, many years, Mary and Billy delivered these handwritten cards to the mailboxes of family and friends. Mary considered these messages of encouragement a ministry to others. She also enjoyed reading and visiting the family beach house (DeDe’s Beach Place) with Danny, Debra, Taylor, Bryson, and the dogs, Maggie, Summer, and Marley. She is survived by her loving son, William D. "Danny" Nicholson, II, his wife Debra, and their children, Taylor and Sally Nicholson of Columbia, SC, and Bryson Nicholson of Old Fort, NC. The family extends special thanks to friends who encouraged and attended to her needs, including the Connie Maxwell family, Bayberry Retirement Inn, and Hospice of the Piedmont. In lieu of flowers, gifts of remembrance may be made to: Connie Maxwell Children’s Ministries, 810 Maxwell Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.

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Mrs. Mary Oliver Nicholson

February 8, 1936 - January 8, 2022