COLUMBIA—Nelda Tuttle Smyrl, 73, died in her Forest Pines home on December 1, 2022. Requiem Mass will be celebrated for the repose of the soul of Nelda Tuttle Smyrl on December 20 at 10:00 a.m. at The Church of the Good Shepherd (Episcopal), 1512 Blanding Street. A visitation will follow mass in the parish hall.
Born in Virginia and raised in Columbia, she was the daughter of the late Doris Runell and Richard Paul Tuttle. She attended the University of South Carolina where she studied history. As a young mother, Nelda worked for the State Archives as well as SCE&G and volunteered as a Guardian ad Litem. Her passion for helping abused children was the catalyst for going back to the University of South Carolina to earn a law degree. She then worked in the Richland County Solicitor’s office prosecuting child abuse cases. She left the Solicitor’s office to take a position as an attorney with the Richland County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). She retired as an employee of the State of South Carolina after working again with juveniles for the Solicitor’s office. Nelda was an intelligent, funny, and high-spirited woman who was known to keep to herself. She will be missed.
Nelda is survived by her son Michael L. Smyrl (Amanda); daughter Teresa S. Plaag (Eric); grandson, Zachery T. Smyrl; step-grandchildren, Griffin Plaag and Cassie Earles. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a brother, Richard M. Tuttle.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the South Carolina Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers.
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