Nina Anne Delk

Nina Delk loved a good story. If you talked with her for more than a minute, you would surely hear about the latest book she was reading or movie she had watched. Her favorite stories were real life accounts of unique people and their influential accomplishments. So in her honor, here’s a bit of her own true tale… 

Nina’s father, Glindon Alfonso Delk, was injured in the Berlin Air Lift. While recovering from his injuries, he met and fell in love with one of his nurses, Muriel Lee Delk. On March 16, 1955, Nina was born to Glindon and Muriel, their first girl. 

Nina grew up in Savannah, GA. She had an older brother, Glenn, and two younger sisters, Marcia and Lisa. There was only one bathroom in the family home. Yet somehow they all survived into adulthood. Glenn Delk now lives with his family in Atlanta, GA. Marcia Payne and family are in Woodstock, GA. And Lisa Morris (the youngest) lives in Harbor Island, SC. 

Nina journeyed from her childhood home to the far off land of Nashville, where she earned her teaching degree from Peabody College. As a classroom teacher, she taught hundreds of elementary school kids how to sit still and not pick their noses. Just as important, she inspired them to love reading and books. A trendsetter in promoting children’s literacy, she started many outside-the-box programs to turn innocent little kids into bookworms and reading addicts. 

In 1981, Nina entered the realm of parenthood, giving birth to her daughter Jessica. At the time, Nina was married to Ralph Nickerson, but they later divorced. Nina never remarried, instead devoting herself entirely to her career and family. Nina relentlessly encouraged Jessica’s obsession with horses. Against the advice of friends and family, she bought a horse for Jessica, a 3 year old appaloosa named Bandyt. He turned out to be an excellent investment because he’s still around 30 years later. Bandyt is now 33 years old and lives with Jessica and her husband Bob on their Dabkowski ranch in Colorado. Thanks to her mother’s support, Jessica’s childhood obsession turned into a lifelong career with horses. 

Because being a single mother to a horse crazy daughter wasn’t enough adventure and challenge, Nina ventured into uncharted territory in 2000 and became the founding principal of Saint Francis Cabrini Catholic School in Savannah. She lovingly poured eight years of blood, sweat, and tears (literally, all three of those) into that school, nurturing it from a little startup all the way into a full grown K-8 school. 

As they say, all good things must come to an end. Nina retired in 2019 after a 34 year career in education. But endings are really just new beginnings. And so it was with Nina. Not yet done with her story, she bought a camper trailer, learned how to haul it, and travelled the country as a work camper. She lived in SC, TX, MT, AZ, CO, and several places in GA. She had so many adventures and left behind a trail of friends all over the country. 

Nina was a lover of Ireland and travelled there five times. This October, she snuck in one last trip there with Jessica and Bob. In November, she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer that had spread to her brain and spine. Nina died on December 5th, 2025, with friends and family there to send her off right. 

Longfellow wrote, “Dust thou art to dust returnest, was not spoken of the soul.” Nina’s story doesn’t end here. She’s just turned the page to her next chapter. 

She’ll be remembered for her generosity, selflessness, yearly handmade Christmas ornaments, ability to talk your ear off, and, of course, her Kahlua cake recipe. 

Services will be held on Friday, December 19th at 1 pm at Saint Peter’s Catholic Church in Beaufort, SC. There will be a rosary service preceding at noon. A reception will follow the service at 2 pm at the church. There may be Kahlua cake.