Dayna Gibson Cousins, 55, of Columbia, passed on Friday, November 7, 2025, at MUSC Columbia.

Born on November 11, 1969, in Newberry, she was the daughter of the late Cliff Gibson and Patsy Blackburn McCullough. Dayna was a graduate of Newberry College and cherished the opportunity she had to serve as the Human Resources and Accounting Manager at Southern Mutual Church Insurance for the past eight years.

Her great passion in life was helping with rescue animals. She loved all of God’s creatures and always extended a helping hand to any animal in need.

Dayna was a woman of tremendous faith and displayed that enormous faith during her fight with breast cancer.

Family and friends were of most importance to her and she loved all of her loved ones with great energy.

She is survived by her husband of 31 years, Martin Lander “Marty” Cousins; a brother, Lamar Stinson (Tommy Phillips) of Hilton Head; mother-in-law, Sybil Cousins; uncles, Dewayne (Nancy) Blackburn and Jack (Jeanne) Blackburn; cousins, Nick (Meghan) Blackburn and their daughter, Addisyn, Samm (Brad) Dorn and their daughter, Victoria Walton, Natasha Blackburn; brother-in-law, Tommy (Linda) Cousins; sister-in-law, Beth (Les) Hipp; nieces and nephews, Jay Cousins, Curtis (Erin) Cousins, Woodrow Binnicker, Summers Binnicker, Cullen Binnicker; great nieces and nephews, Jackson Cousins, Rylie Cousins, Oliver Cousins, Kinsley Cousins and Walt Cousins; special friends Adam and Asheley Schryer.

The family will have a visitation on Sunday, November 9, 2025 at McSwain-Evans Funeral Home from 3:00 – 5:00 pm.

A private family burial will be held on Monday, November 10, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Tomten Animal Farm and Sanctuary; Columbia Animal Services; or Susan G. Komen