COLUMBIA Nicki Christakos Long “Yia-Yia” passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 23, 2018, one day after her 76th birthday, surrounded by her entire family. She was born to the late Nick Christakos and Sara Anne Folks. She was a resident of Columbia for her entire life always living in the Five Points and Leesburg Road areas.
She was a member of St. Michael and All Angels’ Episcopal Church and attended regularly when she was in good health. She was a member of the Altar Guild, the Angel Fair and the TLC Committee.
She was retired from the U.S. Postal Service after serving 24 years and was always proud to be a Post Office clerk and work for the government. She was a very outspoken person and would never hesitate to state her opinion on just about any subject, sometimes even if she was not asked.
She was also something of a “Bionic Woman” having undergone two knee, three hip and shoulder replacement operations over the past 12 years. The family is especially grateful to Doctors J. Frank Martin, Michael Foster and Eddie Williams and the Richland Memorial Hospital 3rd Floor CCU staff for their amazing and compassionate service during her last days.
She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Karl S. Long Jr.; daughter, Donna “Dee” Long Sanders (Bob); son, Karl S. Long III (Catherine); six grandchildren, Clayton, Layne, Chandler, Sims, Turner and Cooper; two great-granddaughters, Noah and Claire Cooper; sisters, Chris Christakos of Virginia Beach, Va. And Frances Johns of Tampa, Fla.; and a large circle of friends. She loved her children and grands fiercely and unconditionally and leaves memories to last them a lifetime.
Services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, January 26, 2018, at St. Michael and All Angels’ Episcopal Church, 6408 Bridgewood Road, with burial to follow in the Churchyard Cemetery. There will be a viewing beginning at 1:30 p.m. in the Chapel of the Church. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is handling funeral arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the church or to Ronald McDonald House, 2800 Colonial Drive, Columbia, SC 29203.
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