Virginia Nichols Sanders

Virginia Nichols Sanders, age 87, of St. Simons Island passed away on January 3, 2026.

Mrs. Sanders was born October 30, 1938 in Atlanta, Georgia to the late Frank Nichols and the late Elise McCrary Nichols. She married James Lewis Sanders in 1961 and graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education. While at UGA, she was an officer of Chi Omega Sorority and the Atlanta Debutant Club. She went on to teach school in both the Atlanta and Fulton County School Systems. Mrs. Sanders and her husband moved to St. Simons Island in 1978 but continued to be avid and lifelong Georgia Bulldawg fans. She was first employed by Frederica Academy and from 1980 until her retirement, she was the Executive Secretary at Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce. She was a member of First Baptist Church of St. Simons.

After suffering a decline in health, Mrs. Sanders moved to Lakeside Senior Living in Douglas to be closer to her family.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Lewis Sanders, nephew, David Nichols, great niece, Caroline Smith, and brother-in-law, Jimmy Ney.

She is survived by her daughters, Shannon (Jay) McPherson of Hazlehurst and Meredith (Vince) Hereld of Edna, Texas; son, Jay (Tonya) Sanders of Brunswick; sister, Carol N. Ney of Charlotte, NC; brother, Frank D. (Tommie) Nichols of Atlanta. Seven grandchildren, Ashley (Jeffery) Googe, Mallory (Ross) Powell, Jaymie Beth (Thomas) Perry-Parker, Brittany Thompson, Haley (Matt) Hines, Grady Sanders, and Anderson Sanders; thirteen great grandchildren; and several nieces also survive.

A graveside service will be held Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs, Georgia.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Lakeside Senior Living for the care they provided during the past eight years.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.