Crystal Dawn Nichols, 51, peacefully transitioned into her Heavenly home early Thursday morning, September 19, 2024, at the Vitas Suites (Hospice) at Orlando Lutheran Towers in Orlando, Florida.
Crystal was born May 12, 1973 in Columbia, S.C. She attended Richland One’s schools for the Deaf at Brennen Elementary, Crayton Middle, and Flora High. She also attended the latter part of her High School years at MSSD (Model Secondary School for the Deaf) in Washington, D.C. She was baptized and attended services at the First Baptist Church Deaf Ministry of Columbia, S.C. Crystal loved her family! She was exceptionally close to her mama (Gail Bateman), her Auntie (Debbie Sheppard), and her beloved Grandmama (Wilma Cody).
We so enjoyed her visits with us at Christmas, Beach and Mountain trips. When we got together it was the most love that you could imagine gathered up into one place! During her brief illness, we found out about the great network of friends that Crystal had in Florida and throughout the U.S. including the Deaf Community! We are particularly grateful to Shari and Frank Okroy and Patrick Hawkins for the love and care they provided Crystal.
It was no surprise when Crystal’s chosen career was to become a dog groomer. She had both a creative eye for design and loved all things nature (plants and animals). Nature was in her blood! In pre school once Crystal caught one of the fish from the classroom fish tank and put it in her pocket! While most kids liked to get candy in their plastic Easter eggs, Crystal got little plastic critters of all types in her eggs…and you should have seen her facial expressions when she opened them!
Growing up until the day she passed, Crystal has loved and cared for dogs, cats, horses, iguanas, ducks, turtles, hedgehogs, snakes, cockatiels, and most recently, beautiful colorful chameleons! Crystal had quite the green thumb as well! She grew the most beautiful exotic flowers! She said caring for her flowers gave her some peace during her health battle. She was also quite the cook and more so a foodie to the core!
Crystal is survived by her loving mother Gail Bateman and Step-father Andy Bateman; grandmama Wilma Cody, brother Jason Bateman (Tiffany); Uncle Bill Cody (Tanya); Aunt Debbie Sheppard (Ken), and Aunt Brenda Fitzgerald(Tom); and many cousins. She is preceded in death by her grandfather Jack Cody (Pop); her uncle Mark Cody; her grandfather B.C. Nichols and grandmother Ethel Nichols.