Joan Smith Nimmer

Joan Smith Nimmer, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, died on January 11, 2021.  She was born on August 17, 1931 in Ridgeland, SC to Joseph Elihu Smith, Sr., and Annette Crosby Smith.  She had a childhood filled with wonderful friends and family.  She spent her summers at Alljoy Beach in Bluffton, SC and loved to tell her children about those magical days.  She attended Ridgeland High School and graduated from Limestone University with a degree in education.  Upon graduation, she taught in Richland County schools, Jasper County schools, and Thomas Heyward Academy. 

On June 25, 1955, Joan married the love of her life, Frederick Anthony Nimmer, Jr., in Savannah, GA.  She found great joy in raising their two daughters and two sons.  She was an avid Clemson sports fan and enjoyed playing a good hand of Bridge.

Joan was active in numerous civic affairs including the Jasper County Historical Society, St. Anthony’s Church Alter Society, and Thomas Heyward Academy.  In 1991, she received the Sgt. Jasper Award for community service, along with her husband.

In 1982, she became ‘Nana’ and was the most wonderful grandmother a child could ask for.  She would take her grandchildren to the library, candy store, and shopping at Boombears in Beaufort. 

She is survived by a family that loved her dearly, including her daughter Pixie; daughter Cathy (Phil), son Tony (Patsy), son Bill (Susan); grandchildren Ashley (David), Dow (Melissa), Rush (Jessica), Philip (Amanda), Ty, Jordan, Bryson, Meccay, Mary Grace, Joanmarie; great grandchildren Annette, Lee, Jacob, Mia, Luke, Cora, Lenley, Caris.  Additionally, she is survived by Catherine H. Short, her husband’s cousin, who was like a sister to her.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Nimmer was preceded in death by her brothers, Joseph Elihu Smith, Jr. and infant Henry Edward Smith, and infant sister Barbara Ann Smith.

The Nimmer family will always be grateful to Bernice Garvin, as she was an angel sent to care for Joan in the last years of her life.  Albertha Shuler (dec.) and Frank Shuler (dec.) are also remembered for their great importance to the family over the years. The family wishes to thank Paulette Frazier, Felisca Rodgers, and Kosima Jenkins for their caring help in recent months.  Jean Cole, gardener, also brought much happiness to Joan by caring for her flowers.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, Bluffton, SC on Monday, January 18 at with the Reverend Monsignor Ronald Cellini as the celebrant.  Burial will follow at 12:30pm at Grahamville Cemetery in Ridgeland, SC.  The funeral mass will be socially distanced with limited seating and masks will be required. 

The funeral mass will be livestreamed at 10:30 AM at http://www.sgg.cc/mass-live-stream.html.

The graveside service will be livestreamed below and on the Sauls Funeral Home Facebook Page. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to one of the following:

• The United Way of the Lowcountry – Nimmer Fund to benefit non-profit services in Jasper County (www.uwlowcountry.org/nimmer) (P.O. Box 202, Beaufort, SC 29901)
• Thomas Heyward General Scholarship Fund (https://bngn.smarttuition.com/?id=0swz15ui5im#/home) (1727 Malphrus Road, Ridgeland, SC 29936)
• John Paul School General Scholarship Fund (http://bit.ly/3bv9Nuq) (4211 N Okatie Highway, Ridgeland, SC 29936)

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