Joyce Davis Nichols Shelander

Joyce Davis Nichols Shelander, of St. Simons Island, Georgia, died peacefully on June 1, 2025, at Hospice of the Golden Isles. She was 98. Born in Brunswick, Georgia on August 15, 1926, to parents Nolan Cromwell Davis and Myrtle Newton Davis, she was raised in Brunswick and spent much of the time growing up in the First Baptist Church and its organizations. She graduated from Glynn Academy in 1944 where she was a member of the National Honor Society and was class president. After a brief time at Coker College she married Aubrey Flint Nichols from South Hill, Virginia and they resided in Brunswick before moving to Douglas, Georgia where she joined the First Baptist Church of Douglas. She received her B.S.Ed. and her M.S.Ed. in mathematics from Valdosta State University and a specialist degree from Georgia Southern University. She held teaching positions in Douglas at Citizen’s Christian Academy and at Coffee High School where she taught math for twenty-two years. She was Star Teacher several times and inspired many students.

After the passing of their spouses, Joyce and Albert Shelander rekindled their friendship with planning the 1944 and 1945 joint Glynn Academy high school reunions that were held partially in the beachfront yard of the historic 1910 Shelander home. They married in July 2003 in Douglas with family and friends at First Baptist Church, that began 20 wonderful years of marriage. In Brunswick, Joyce faithfully attended St. Mark’s Church with Albert. After moving to 105 Florence Street, St. Simons Island, she thrived “at the beach house” and in the community. Aside from Joyce’s quick wit and humor, she and Albert provided a positive outlook on life wherever they went. Many times, Joyce and Albert sat on the breath-taking front porch watching the ocean while providing family, friends and newcomers love and sharing of their hearts and stories with their special knowledge and history of the area.

Joyce’s greatest talent was her art work. Her mother recognized Joyce’s ability at a young age and began art lessons for her as a child. Joyce studied art in Douglas with Dr. Vincent Keesee of Tifton, and on St. Simons with Bill Hendrix and Ken Wallin. Joyce’s sense of color and palette was bright and elegant as she painted many landscapes and the beaches of the Golden Isles, often putting figures that appeared in motion. She was commissioned to do many portraits, often children, and the president of South Georgia State College in Douglas.

Always active in the community, Joyce Shelander was a member of the Fort Frederica Chapter, National Society of the Daughters of the America Revolution (NSDAR) and Charter member of Commander Oliver Bowen Chapter, NSDAR. Memberships included: Delta Kappa Gamma Society for Women Educators, Coffee Alliance for Art, Georgia Coastal Artist Guild, Sea Island Club, The Mozart Society, Douglas Garden Club, Douglas Research Club, Douglas Golf and Country Club, and the Bridge Club of Douglas.

In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Fendig Shelander; daughters, Joan Miles and Beth Nichols; step-son, Albert (B.B.) Shelander, Jr.; siblings, Nolan Davis, Louise Davis Abell and Dorothy Davis Thomas; and her first husband of over fifty years, Aubrey Flint Nichols.

Survivors include her daughter, Anne Shelander Floyd (Randall) and Melanie Barger; her loving caregiver of many years, Lisa Hall; seven grandchildren Flint Huff (Val), Jacob Miles (Jesse Drawdy), Mac Shelander (Lucy), Mary Banks Shelander, Dr. Randall Floyd Jr., Jon Phillip Spiers, and Margaret Barger Spiers; and three great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her niece and caregiver Rachel Kelly (Harry); nieces Margaret Dixon and Joy Thomas; nephew Andy Thomas; and special friends Deby Glidden and Rose Wilson. The family is deeply appreciative to the staff and caregivers at BrightStar and Hospice of the Golden Isles and the staff at Addington Place of Brunswick and Magnolia Manor.

A memorial service and reception will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, June 5th at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 900 Gloucester Street, Brunswick, with Father Gary Jackson presiding. A private burial will be held at Palmetto Cemetery.

Edo Miller & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.edomillerandsons.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Golden Isles, 1692 Glynco Parkway, Brunswick, GA 31525 or St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, P. O. Box 1155, Brunswick, GA 31521.