Tamra Frances Nivens West

CHESTER-Born on April 6, 1961, in York, SC, Tamra Frances Nivens West, was first and foremost a caring, concerned and devoted mother. Second, she was a devoted and understanding wife, daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt and friend who cherished private and personal time spent with family and friends.Finally, she was a counselor and advisor to family, friends and collegues in good times and in bad.She passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 8, 2013 at Providence Hospital in Columbia, SCsurrounded by family and friends. An extremely dignified and classy southern lady, Tamra had impeccable taste and was known by all who knew her as “The Queen.”She often declared the Queen across the pond really didn’t know who was in charge!She cherished the opportunities to open her home to close family and friends, especially during the Christmas season when her home was decked out in its finest.Her home was always a place of comfort and warmth where one could just stop by and “chill.”Tamra rejoiced when family and friends devoured her well planned meals and planned for months in advance for Christmas Supper Club held in her home annually. A competitive sports enthusiast, Tamra pulled for the Wofford College Terriers first in all sports, but was an avid Duke Basketball fan.For her, Duke Basketball took priority from the beginning of the season to the last game of March Madness.She won her fantasy football league several times and proudly displayed her trophy for all to see. Tamra is survived by her husband of thirty years, Jesse Edwin West, Jr.,son Samuel Haines West, and Russert, the family dog, all of Chester.She is also survived by her brother, Robert Shelton Nivens, sister-in-law Amanda Propst Nivens and niece Melanie Rebecca Nivens, all of York, SC and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins.Tamra was predeceased by her parents, Edgar Donald Nivens and Ann Hogue Nivens (York, SC), her mother-in-law Mary Rone Lancaster West (Spartanburg, SC) and her grandparents, Robert and Clara Hogue (Clover, SC) and Shelton and EalerNivens (York, SC) .She greatly missed her beloved chocolate lab, Johnson. A 1983 graduate of Wofford College (BS Philosophy/Humanities), Tamra most recently served as Interim Director of the Carolinas Center for Hospice and End of Life Care where she served as South Carolina Program Director for over 11years.During her career in hospice work, Tamra served as Executive Director of Hospice and Community Care (Rock Hill, SC), United Hospice (Columbia, SC) and other regional hospice organizations.She was the first Director of the Chester County Disabilities and Special Needs Board and began her working career with the Charles Lea Center (Spartanburg, SC) Socially, Tamra was a founding member of The Supper Club (16 years), The Take Over the World Club, fondly known as the TOW Club (18 years) and several book clubs. She formally served as Vice Chair of the Chester County Library, was a past president of the Chester Assembly and board member of the Chester Cotillion.A member of Purity Presbyterian Church, Tamra served as Sunday School teacher and counselor to many youth.She was an artist through cross stitch and was a veracious reader., A memorial service will be held at 3 pm on Friday, October 11, 2013 at Purity Presbyterian Church, 135 Wylie Street, Chester conducted by the Rev. Trey M. Hegar.Visitation will precede the service in the church social hall from 1:30-2:45.A celebration of Tamra’s life will be held at the home following the memorial service.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the music fund of Purity Presbyterian Church, 135 Wylie Street, Chester, SC, 29706, The Carolinas Center for Hospice and End of Life Care, attn.:The Lusk Education Fund, 1202 SE Maynard Rd. #203, Cary, NC 27511 or to Hospice and Community Care, 2275 India Hook Rd. Rock Hill, SC 29731