Grace Nickles Johnson of the Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina in Clinton died February 5, 2012, after a brief illness. Born in Abbeville County, SC on August 7, 1920, she was the daughter of the late John Robert and Elise Crawford Nickles.
She graduated from Erskine College with a degree in chemistry, taught school in Mountville, SC, then worked on the Manhatten Project at the Oak Ridge, Tennessee National Laboratory. On January 8, 1946, she married J. William Johnson and moved to Clinton, SC. For over twenty years she taught in Laurens County District 56 schools, where she was a highly regarded first grade teacher. Upon retirement, she was a volunteer at Laurens County Hospital and at the Presbyterian Home. As a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church in Clinton for over sixty-five years, she served in many capacities and was a deacon emeritus.
She was predeceased by J. William Johnson, her husband of forty-six years, and by her son, James W. Johnson, Jr. Surviving are daughters Jane Edwards and husband Larry of High Point, NC, Beth Cale and husband Harry of Mt. Pleasant, SC, and daughter-in-law Jean M. Johnson of Clinton, SC. Her grandchildren include Ashley Edwards, Meredith Edwards Woehr (Jeff), Ryan Johnson (Alisha), Austin Johnson (Livia), Katherine Johnson Addison (Thomas), Elizabeth Johnson, Kerrie Cale Schmidt (Doug), Katie Cale, and Kevin Cale. She also leaves eight great-grandchildren-Andy, Luke, and Thomas Woehr; Katelin, Abigail, and James Johnson; Haleigh Johnson, and William Addison.
Survivors also include her brothers, Howard C. Nickles of PCSC in Clinton, Bobby Nickles of Donalds, SC; sisters-in-law Jean Johnson of Charlotte, NC, Frances Johnson of Joanna, SC, and Clarice Johnson of Texas, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, February 7 at 1:30 PM in First Presbyterian Church cemetery followed by a memorial service at 2:00 PM in the sanctuary. The family will receive visitors in the Fellowship Hall immediately following the memorial service. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the following: First Presbyterian Church, Clinton, SC; Hospice House of Hospice of Laurens County, PO Box 178, Clinton, SC; or to the Clinton Presbyterian Community of Presbyterian Communities of SC, 801 Musgrove Street, Clinton, SC.
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