Lois Chicky Obituary

Lois Jean Buchanan Chicky, 94, of Greenville, SC, passed away peacefully on July 7, 2025. She was born in Canton, Ohio, on March 20, 1931, to the late Ralph and Luella Buchanan. A graduate of McKinley High School in Canton, Lois was an accomplished student and active leader. She served as Treasurer of her Senior Class, was Vice President of her Junior Class, and was inducted into the National Honor Society for all four years of high school. She was a member of the Business Staff, WYCA Teens, Booster Club, Red Cross Club, Choral Club, College Club, and the school newspaper, The Quill and Scroll. She also performed with the Operetta Club. After high school, she scored at the top of her district on a competitive psychometric exam. After graduating from Aultman Hospital School of Nursing, Lois began her nursing career as a Floor Nurse and OR Nurse at Aultman Hospital, where she met her future husband, Elmer Chicky, who was a patient there in 1952. They married on September 12, 1953 - the same day as John and Jackie Kennedy - and went on to share 71 devoted and loving years together. Lois continued her nursing journey at Ohio University in the student infirmary. After becoming a mother to Brian, Christine, and Paul, she and her family relocated to Gaffney, SC in 1970 for Elmer's job with the Timken Company. Her nursing career continued in South Carolina as a school nurse and later as Director of Inservice at Cherokee County Hospital. She ultimately retired in 1991 from the Cherokee County Health Department's Home Health Division, having served her community with care and compassion for many years. Lois was a woman of strong faith and a lifelong lover of music. She sang in church choirs from 1946 to 2023 - nearly 80 years of continuous dedication. She was an active member of several congregations throughout her life: Church of the Savior in Canton, OH; Buford Street United Methodist Church in Gaffney, SC; and Covenant United Methodist Church in Greenville, SC. Lois had a lifelong love for animals, especially dogs. As a young woman, she trained rottweilers, and throughout her life, she always had a dog by her side. Her last beloved pet was a Silky Terrier named Taffy, whom she adored. She is survived by her husband, Elmer Chicky; a son, Brian Chicky; a daughter, Christine Power and her husband, Kevin Power; a son, Paul Chicky and his wife, Annette Chicky; a granddaughter, Nicole Childers and her husband, Norris Childers, and their son, Nicholas; a grandson, Shane Mulligan and his wife, Angelica Mulligan, and their children, Emily and Shane Jr.; a step-grandson, Kertus Davis, and his son, Cooper; a granddaughter, Holly Richter and her husband, Chad Richter, and their children, Gabriel and Chloe; a step-granddaughter, Summer Power; a step-grandson, Joe Power; a step-grandson, Matt Power and his wife, Laura Power, and their children, Molly and Fletcher; a granddaughter, Brittany Henson and her husband, Jim Henson, and their children, Charlotte, Harper and Grant; a grandson, Matthew Chicky and his wife, Ray Chicky, and their children, August, Roman, and Noah; a sister, Ruth McQuigg and her husband, Bo McQuigg. She was preceded in death by a step-grandson, Kyle Davis. Lois loved her family, her husband, and God. Her legacy lives on through the generations she nurtured with grace, strength, and unwavering love. A funeral service will be held at Wood Mortuary in Greer, SC, on Saturday, July 19, 2025. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m., followed by the service at 2:00 p.m. The service will be live streamed for those unable to attend in person. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Greenville Humane Society, 305 Airport Road, Greenville, South Carolina 29607. Online condolences may be made to www.thewoodmortuary.com.