Susan Kay Nicholson

Susan Kay Nicholson passed away on April 11, 2025.

Funeral Services will be held 1:00 pm on Saturday April 26, 2025 at Temples-Halloran Funeral Home with burial to follow at Bush River Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held from Noon until 1:00 pm at the funeral home.

Susan was born in Columbia, SC, on August 20, 1961. Susan was a longtime resident of Columbia, SC and Chapin, SC. She was the beloved daughter of Sara Elizabeth Kay “Buddie” Nicholson and James “Jim” Robert Nicholson, Jr. of Fair Play and Oakway, SC. Susan was a devoted and loving daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend to many.

Susan was a 1979 graduate of Irmo High School. After high school, Susan attended Columbia College and graduated in May 1983, with a BS in History and a minor in Political Science. Susan worked 11 years at Rich’s Department Store in the Interior Design Studio and 15 years at South Carolina Department of Revenue as a Sales Tax Examiner and Vehicle Tax Examiner/Auditor. Though Susan graduated from Columbia College, she was a diehard Clemson fan. She attended every football game she could to support her brother in the Clemson Tiger Band from 1985 to1989. Additionally, Susan was a dedicated and loving Mom to her babies, “Dash” a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and “Daisy” a Cocker Spaniel.

Susan’s hobbies included interior design, shopping, listening to music and comedy shows, and traveling. She had an eye for interior design and amassed a vast collection of antiques and blue and white porcelain. She was known to frequent antique malls and Christmas specialty shops where she also acquired an expansive nutcracker collection. Susan loved listening to Yacht Rock radio or Comedy Central when traveling to Charlotte or the beach. Her travel abroad to Europe after high school was the highlight of her early years, and would make a lasting impression on her. In later years, New York City was one of her favorite places to visit and she cherished every Broadway show she attended.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her brother James “Jimmy”Robert Nicholson, III, (Katie), a niece, Jessica Marie Diaz (Jarret), nephews, John Michael Diaz (Eileen) and Derek Joseph Howard, one great niece, Madeleine and other special extended family members and friends.

We are deeply grateful for the time we had with Susan. Her presence, smile, and laughter will be greatly missed, but her memory will remain with us forever.