Martha Joyce Nichols Gardner

Mrs. Martha Joyce Nichols Gardner, 96, died Friday, September 18, 2026 at her home. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, September 24, 2026 at Old Purity Cemetery with Rev. Michael Shaffer officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the graveside. 

Mrs. Gradner was born July 30, 1930 in Chester, SC and was the daughter of the late Henry O. Nichols, Sr and Lerline Copeland Nichols. She was a graduate of Chester High School and Winthrop College. She retired from Dr. Douglas Marion Eye Care after over 30 years of serving as Optical Manager. Joyce loved fast cars and was the first female pilot in Chester and an accomplished pianist. She was very artistic having taken lessons from Lois Birer. She was a member of Ember Church where she sang in the choir and taught Sunday School.

She is survived by her husband of over 51 years, Lee Gardner; three sons, Dewitt Welborne (Susan) of Lowrys, SC, John D. Welborn of Columbia, SC and Brian Gardner (Karen) of Chester, SC; one daughter, Linda Kinnett (Mac) of Blythewood, SC; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; one brother, Marvin Nichols (Carol) of Matthews, NC; one sister, Carolyn Caldwell of Rock Hill, SC; numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Samuel and Henry Nichols.

Memorials may be made to Ember Church, 1841 JA Cochran Bypass Ste H, Chester, SC 29706 or Good News Club, 2087 Pinckney Rd, Chester, SC 29706.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.barronfuneralhome.com