Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Nye Zirkle

June 2, 1955 - October 30, 2020

Mary Elizabeth "Beth" Nye Zirkle, 65 of Myrtle Beach, passed away Friday, October 30, 2020 at home peacefully, surrounded by her loving family. Beth was born in Conway, SC to late David S. Nye, Jr. "Jimmie" and Mary Joyce Hosse Nye - (Nye's Pharmacy). Beth graduated from Conway High School in 1973. She attended Winthrop University and the University of South Carolina-Coastal where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. Beth taught Kindergarten and Special Education in Horry County Schools for twenty-three years and was a loving and encouraging teacher. Beth had a wonderful life growing up in Conway and spent her summers at the family home "Nyoka" in Murrells Inlet. Possessing an indomitable spirit and a spunky personality, Beth's long beautiful braids were a childhood trademark. Many compared her looks to Laura Ingalls (Little House on the Prairie). Beth was courageous and determined in her battle with cancer. Beth is survived by her husband, Thomas "Bruce" Zirkle of Myrtle Beach; daughter, Elizabeth Bradford of Sumter, SC; two sons, Matthew (Ashley) Bradford of Conway, SC and Richard Bailey of Myrtle Beach, SC; stepdaughter, Marsha Zirkle of Mt. Pleasant; stepson, Christopher (Melissa) Zirkle of Oceanside, California; three grandchildren, Yvonne Zirkle, Tristin Zirkle and Hunter Zirkle; a sister, Ruth Anne (Jeff) Sanford of Sumter, SC; a brother, David (Phyllis) Nye of Conway, SC; nieces, Anna Louise Sanford (Hunter) Hicklin, Johnson Nye (Fred) Smith; nephew, Sherwood (Holly) Nye; two special lifelong friends, Donna Helms Cady and Renee Sparks Defalco. Graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 07, 2020 at Lakeside Cemetery in Conway with the Rev. Rocky Taylor officiating. Memorials may be made in honor of Beth to First Baptist Church, 603 Elm Street, Conway, SC 29526 or to Eastern Carolina Housing Organization at echousing.org, 407 Broadway St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577.