OCEAN ISLE BEACH, N.C. — Sunny Victoria Gornto Nichols, age 81, passed into Eternal Glory, Monday, September 2, 2024, at her home in Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., after a long bout with two complex diseases — Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s dementia.
Mrs. Nichols passed in the comfort of their home with her husband, Jim at her side. She was born in Waycross on July 10, 1943, to James O. and Mary Virginia Giddens Gornto.
She is survived by her husband of 61 years, James G. Nichols, Sr.; sons James G. Nichols Jr., of Sturbridge, Mass., and Matthew Clayton Nichols (Patti Marie) of Greenlawn, N.Y.; daughter Mindy Louann Threlkeld (Barry) of Hope Mills, N.C.; and grandchildren Carly Victoria Nichols and Ashton Lee Threlkeld.
Mrs. Nichols’ name portrays the “real person” as she spread love and sunshine to all persons she encountered, right up to her final days, regardless of her pain. She was a stay-at-home mother to their three children, participating in their school activities, their afterschool activities, their arts training, and was the primary “chauffer” for the many activities of the children.
When soccer was first being introduced into the USA in the 1970s, Mrs. Nichols was one of the first female youth soccer coaches in California. In her high school and college years, she was a competitive springboard diver and swimmer, and in college was a cheerleader for all sports.
Mrs. Nichols’ “escapes” were her music talents, playing the piano and playing the guitar while singing. As an adult, while living on Cape Cod, the courts recognized her as a Qualified Sign Language Interpreter for those in need of such services in the courtroom.
She was a supportive help mate to her husband as his professional work caused them to live in San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Boston, and the state of North Carolina — disrupting the household each time. During her husband’s absence as a military officer in the Vietnam War, Mrs. Nichols served as the Assistant to the Executive Director of the Waycross/Ware County Chamber of Commerce in Waycross.
Throughout her life, Mrs. Nichols’ passion was animals of all kinds, but especially their dog, Camile, and her miniature donkeys which were used on their farm for therapy with children with Autism.
Throughout her life, wherever they lived, she, along with her husband, helped their family to remain Christ-centered , and were active with the local Church of Christ congregation.
The family received friends Saturday, September 7 at Brunswick Funeral Service, 5229 Ocean Hwy West, Shallotte, NC 28470. A memorial service was held Saturday, September 7 at Brunswick Funeral Service in Shallotte, N.C., followed by a reception at Ocean Ridge Plantation, 351 Ocean Ridge Pkwy, Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.
A local memorial service
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will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, September 21 in the Miles-Odum Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends following the service.
If so inclined, memorials may be made to Robeson County Humane Society (beginning home of her “wonder dog” Camile) at Donate — Robeson County Humane Society (weebly.com) or to Tebeau Church of Christ, 1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, 31501 (Mrs. Nichols’ church as a child.)
Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.milesodumfuneralhome. com Miles-Odum Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
