A Tribute to a Beautiful Soul

 

Noah's first trip to Kings Dominion. He wouldn't ride with me but would ride with Mommaw Nancy. She loved the rides as much as the kids

Her 60th birthday

    Saturday morning at approximately 2:00 a.m. I got a phone call from Amanda Driver. As soon as I saw her name on my phone, I knew what had happened. Our beloved Nancy had passed away. She was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in the Fall of 2023. 

    I am having trouble putting my thoughts and feelings into words for this blog and if you know me, you know I am rarely ever without words. This one hurts a little deeper than the others. "Camp Nancy" as I so lovingly called it, entertained Charley for the past 4 summers since I opened the store. When I would pick her up, she would be sweaty, her face red, and she would tell me she had the most fun that day! Nancy & Amanda made crafts with the kids, painted their faces, if you could think of it, they did it.  Jessica would come out when she was off of work and do the same.  Nancy taught the kids about gardening, and they all loved to dig potatoes. That was the only time they were allowed in there 😆. She played with them like she was one of them. The beloved kickball games. She would play one on one basketball with you. There are so many things she did that I could spend pages upon pages listing them out and telling you stories about them. When I had Noah, I called Nancy. I wasn't sure she would keep babies, but she said ABSOLUTELY. Let me tell you Noah & William would listen to her like no one else. I used to tell her I was going to record her hollering Noah's name because when she did, he turned right around. I wish I had now.  

    She took pride in her home and her garden. She had chickens and cats and dogs. She would go out early in the morning and do her chores, watch the kids during the day and go play bingo in the evening. She knew where ALL the bingo games were and what time to get there to get a good seat. I played bingo with her a few times, and I always made sure to sit beside her or across from her because she was LUCKY when it came to that game (and she would help me with my cards - because she made me get so many 😁.) She loved the scratch off lottery tickets and going to thrift stores too. I took her to her initial doctor's appointment at the Gastroenterologist? and on the way home she said, "I think we have time to go by the Goodwill." Amanda was with the daycare kids. I said whatever you want to do, so we went to the Goodwill. She found baseball prints for Gabe that day and she was so excited about them. She was always thinking of her grandkids and the daycare kids. I swear she kept Noah clothed and in shoes.  

    I still can't believe she is gone, but I know she is with Jesus. I, along with countless others, will miss her tremendously. Life won't be the same without her boisterous personality. My brain and my heart are struggling to process all the bad news these days. I just keep hearing Jeremiah 29:11 in my head "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." On that I will trust. Please pray for Bob, Jessica, Philip & Amanda. As well as her grandchildren. She was one of a kind.   I love you and I'm cheering for you.

Wishing you sunny skies and green pastures,

McKession