Eunice McKay Fisher, 83, died on Friday, December 13, 2024. Born on April 18, 1941, she was the daughter of Marion Glenn McKay and Kathleen Walker McKay. She was born on a small farm in Blaney, SC, which now known as the Town of Elgin.
Eunice met and married Irving Gary Dial, Sr. and together they had three children. She loved her family more than anything. She taught her children strong Christian values. She also instilled in them a strong work ethic.
Eunice worked for many years in manufacturing. She worked for Stones Manufacturing for more than 30 years. When Stones Manufacturing closed, she took a job with Whirlpool Industries and worked there until they closed. Not ready to retire, Eunice returned to school and obtained her GED and Nursing Assistant Certification. She began providing in-home care for the elderly. She and her husband also worked alongside each other selling produce in a small roadside stand in Blythewood. Eunice was not afraid of hard work. She loved working in her yard and could grow just about anything. She planted a vegetable garden every summer. Eunice was a wonderful cook and prepared feasts every Sunday for her family. She and Gary were married for 50 years. The last 7 of those years, Eunice cared for Gary as he battled a terminal illness.
When Eunice finally retired, she cared for her grandchildren on the weekends and during the summer. She would play with them and take them fishing. They would harvest her garden, pick blue berries and watch cartoons. As they got older, she taught them to drive, and all four grandchildren got their license using her car. She was always present and supportive in everything they did.
Later in her life, Eunice met and married Jim Fisher. They had a wonderful marriage and spent their time traveling, spending time with their church family and loving and supporting each other.
Eunice always dreamed of going to Hawaii and was able to do that at the age of 80. She absolutely believed that age is just a number. Never stop living and enjoying life.
Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis and after a long and hard battle, she succumbed to this devastating disease.
She is survived by her husband, Rodolph "Jim" Fisher; son, Irving G. Dial, Jr. and his wife Lisa; daughters, Dorothy Thompson, Daisy Lynn Roper and her husband Roy; stepsons, Jason Fisher and Josh Fisher; her four grandchildren, Zachary Roper (Miranda) , Krystyna Moeller (Matthew), McKenzie Gregory (Lee), and Madison Reid (Justin); step-grandsons, Davis Fisher and Coleman Fisher; two great-granddaughters, Marley Mae and Madeline; and an expectant great-grandson, Hayden James; sister, Louise Lee; and many nieces and nephews.
She is predeceased by her husband, Irving Gary Dial, Sr.; her parents; sisters, Lucille McKay, Ruby Wright, Lola Mae Kirton, Kathryn Vest; brothers, Jess McKay, Woodrow McKay, Levi McKay and Johnny McKay.
The family will receive guests from 5 – 7 o'clock on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia, SC 29223. A funeral service will be held, Thursday, December 19, at 10:30 am, at Spring Valley Baptist church, 91 Polo Rd, Columbia, SC 29223. The burial will take place at Fort Jackson National Cemetery following the service.
The family extends a special thank you to Prisma Health Hospice, Jennifer, Ellen, Tara, Barbara, and Joye; the SVBC Prayer Warrior Life Group; and to all her dear friends who visited her, brought food, and faithfully prayed for her. She loved each of you dearly.
Donations may be made to the SVBC Prayer Warrior Life Group or Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, pulmonaryfibrosis.org.
Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assiting the family.