Samantha Lynn "Samie" Nichols

Samantha passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 5, 2025 at the age of 29 after a year-long battle with gastric cancer. Samie Lynn as we called her was born on October 21, 1995, at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Samantha is the daughter of David W. and Denise C. Nichols, and sister of David J. Nichols of Waynesboro, Virginia.

Samantha has a large extended family including her paternal grandfather Owen Wayne Nichols and grandmother Sue Nichols (Wilmington, DE), paternal grandmother Helen N. Morgan and grandfather Ralph Morgan (Lewes, DE), and maternal grandmother Louise F. Canon (Pittsburgh, PA). Her maternal grandfather Joseph Canon passed away in 1994 before she was born. In addition to her immediate family, Samantha has numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends. Samantha had a love for animals, with her dogs Strelka, Butterscotch, Charlie, and her cat Elvis. Samantha is now walking and running in heaven with her other pets ResQ, Sparky, Sandy, Barbie, Apollo, Honey, and Comet.

Samie Lynn was an English and Theatre teacher at Waynesboro High School for six years. Samie’s love for the theatre and arts was known from a very young age when she participated in plays and sang in the children’s choir at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in York, Pennsylvania. In high school, Samantha sang in the choir and participated in every theatrical production in junior and senior high school.

Although Samie was born in Virginia, she grew up mostly in York, Pennsylvania. She attended York Catholic High School graduating in 2014 with honors. Samantha then attended the Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) studying English Education and Theatre. She graduated in 2019 on the Dean’s List and also completed a rigorous program at the Cook Honors College at IUP. After graduation, she moved to Waynesboro with her parents to pursue a career as a public-school teacher.

Samantha became a huge fan of K-Pop bands and would plan trips to New York City, Washington, DC, and other cities to attend concerts. Samie also would travel to Broadway to attend theatrical productions. She had the ability to write and edit scripts, develop music and lighting for shows, help with choreography and fight scenes, and place the right person in the best role(s). She was a champion for her students and always ensured each student knew they were valued and loved.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 301 Sheppard Court, Waynesboro. Following the memorial mass, a celebration of life service will be held at 1:00 p.m. at Waynesboro High School, 1200 W. Main St., Waynesboro.

In honoring Samantha’s wishes, the family established the Samantha Lynn Nichols Memorial Scholarship at Waynesboro High School. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to help support this scholarship fund in her memory by visiting https://community-foundation-of-the-central-blue-ridge.networkforgood.com/projects/255549-samantha-lynn-nichols-memorial-scholarship