Virginia Yaden Nickles

Augusta GA - Virginia Yaden Nickles, 88, beloved wife of Thomas (Mack) McBride Nickles, Jr., entered into eternal rest on May 31,2023.

Born in Moultrie, Georgia, Virginia was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jessie Lynden Yaden. She attended Mercer University where she was a member of the Phi Mu sorority and received her degree in education. It was through her sorority sister and Mack's sister that she was introduced to her future husband.

Virginia and Mack were married on December 29th, 1956, in the theological chapel at Emory University. The couple honeymooned in Sea Island, GA at the Cloister Hotel. After a brief period in Thomasville, Georgia, they moved to Mack's hometown of Augusta where they began their life partnership and raised their three children. Mack was the love of Virginia's life, and they were happily married for 66 years.

Virginia was a respected and devoted schoolteacher for over 50 years. As a descendant of a family of education, education meant the world to her and she treasured every child and young-teacher she was able to mentor.

Virginia and Mack loved to have fun with their children. Countless summer weekends were spent at Clark's Hill where the family would work on the property during the day and ski until dusk. After a full day of activities and boating, they would all gather over good food and a wonderful summer bonfire. Virginia and Mack also loved visiting the West where they skied in Aspen during the winter while visiting their youngest daughter and white-water rafted the snake river during the summer, all while admiring and paying gratitude to God's amazing creations.

Virginia loved her grandchildren and embraced any opportunity to spend time with them. She cherished watching her grandchildren laugh and experience life on family vacations. As a grandchild of the great depression, there was always a quiet lesson to be learned. Several included the importance of having a relationship with your creator, investing for the future, and prioritizing those things that are important-faith, family, and friends.

Virginia was blessed with great friends and a great husband. She and Mack made every effort to participate in travel across the globe. They painted in France, traveled the Middle East and relaxed in the mountains of North Carolina. Virginia was a fiercely devoted friend and confidant; and if you were her friend, you felt confident and safe in that love. Virginia had a passion for the outdoors including flowers, gardens, and birds. On weekends, she loved to saddle a horse, and was constantly making the case for the adoption of the ubiquitous stray...including, Dottie, Zorro, Hector and Patches. She had a heart of gold and every animal she encountered was a beneficiary of her kindness.

Virginia and Mack were highly active long-term members of Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church. From their example as a couple, the three children learned the critical importance of a relationship with their creator. Virginia was consistently present in church bible studies as she had an insatiable appetite for understanding God's plan.

Family members in addition to her husband include her children: Beverly Nickles, Lynda Nickles Baker, Thomas M. Nickles III (Cathy); and grandchildren: Lawton Nickles, Virginia Baker, Annie Hamilton and Henry Hamilton.

A private family memorial service will be Friday, June 9th, 2023, at Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church columbarium with Reverend Nadine Ellsworth-Moran officiating.

The family invites all of Virginia's friends to gather at 11:30 am on Friday, in the fellowship hall at Reid Memorial to share memories and celebrate Virginia’s life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church, 2261 Walton Way, Augusta, GA 30904 or to the Hitchcock Woods Foundation, 444S Boundary Avenue SW, Aiken, SC, 29801

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com