Mary Nell Boozer

Mary Nell Taylor Boozer, 97, of Prosperity, SC, passed away peacefully on the 13 ^th of January, 2014, at her home. She was the wife of James William “Bill” Boozer, who predeceased her in 2007. They were life partners for 71 ½ years, married August 24, 1935.

Mrs. Boozer was born December 1, 1916, in the Stoney Hill section of Newberry County. She was the only child of the late Dove and Edna Minick Taylor.

Among those surviving to treasure her memory are her three daughters, six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Her daughters and sons-in-law are Mary Dove Nichols of Newberry, Wilma and Thomas Nichols and Emily and Larry Lake, of Prosperity. Her grandchildren and their families are Tommy and Tina Nichols of Prosperity, Benjie, Donna, Tyler, Bradley, and Allie Nichols of Winter Springs, Florida, Elizabeth (Nichols), Jonny, Katie, and Emmie Thompson of Lexington, Steven, Ashley, and Alex Lake of Prosperity, David, Paige and Cole Nichols of Newberry, and Stuart, Tracie, and Hayden Lake of Goose Creek.

Also, Mrs. Boozer is survived by a niece Alma Taylor Force of Prosperity. She was predeceased by her son-in-law Bernard Nichols and nephews James and Walter Bowers.

As a lifelong member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Mrs. Boozer was proud to be one of the oldest members. She will be remembered by many as a Sunday School Superintendent, a church choir director and member, Luther League leader, member of the Missionary Society, and a member of the New Horizons Group.

In 1933, Mrs. Boozer, as did her husband Bill, graduated from Stoney Hill High School in the school’s largest graduation class of sixteen. She was the last surviving classmate. The restoration of her alma mater and the annual Stoney Hill School reunions meant much to Mrs. Boozer. In 1935, she graduated from Newberry College with a business degree, which she used throughout her career as a bookkeeper, retiring at the age of 80.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm Thursday, January 16, 2014 at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Prosperity, by the Rev. Jason Schafer. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at McSwain-Evans Funeral Home in Newberry. Memorials may be made to St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 4056 St. Luke’s Church Road, Prosperity, SC, 29127, or to the Stoney Hill Center Association, c/o Mrs. Catherine Boozer, 360 Holland Boozer Road, Prosperity, SC 29127.

Mrs. Boozer’s five grandsons and her granddaughter’s husband will serve as pallbearers. Her granddaughter will be the organist as they honor their grandmother at her funeral service. Honorary pallbearers will be her first cousins.

The family would like to thank everyone who has offered support, prayers, encouragement, and love throughout Mrs. Boozer’s last years as a shut-in. A special thanks to devoted friends, Essie Wise and Veronica Swittenburg, the staff of Hospice Care of Tri-County, and McSwain-Evans Funeral Home.

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