Kermit Nance

July 4, 1941–Aug. 7, 2024

 

Kermit F. Nance passed from this earthly life Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. He was born on July 4, 1941 to Cecil and Lillian (Winters) Nance.

He celebrated 57 years of marriage to wife Pat Haynes Nance on June 17, 2024.

Others left to cherish his memory are sister, Carol Nance Holbrook, of Coal Grove; daughter, Aimee Nance Adkins (Ed), of Statesville, North Carolina; daughter, Alisa Nance Weigandt (Jason), of Mooresville, North Carolina; grandchildren, Emmeline, Wyatt, and Walker Adkins, of Statesville, North Carolina, and Lily and Lane Weigandt, of Mooresville, North Carolina; sister-in-laws Sue Nance, of Wheelersburg, Sheila Robinson (Mark), of Mooresville, North Carolina and Polly Walker (Rick), of Austin, Texas; brother-in-law Jim Crabtree (Heather), of Oak Hill, West Virginia; and many beloved nieces and nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his best friends in life and fellow singing partners, brothers, Raymond Nance and James Nance; and brother-in-law, Donald Holbrook. Also preceded by his sweet sister-in-law and fellow quartet member, Dorothy Holbrook Nance; cherished sister-in-law, Georgia Gail Coleman; brother-in-law Paul Robinson, and precious nephew, Nathan Holbrook.

He began his education in a one-room schoolhouse, which culminated in his receiving his high school diploma at age 16 from Dawson-Bryant High Schoo in 1958 as salutatorian of his class.

He received his BA from Ohio University and his Master’s Degree from Marshall University in 1969.

He taught most of his career with Dawson-Bryant schools, retiring at the age of 49 with 30 years of teaching. He then worked for 12 years as a computer instructor at the Cabell Wayne Association for the Blind.

Kermit was a member of Ice Creek Missionary Church where he was saved and baptized as a child.  He served as a deacon at First Southern Baptist Church and taught Sunday School for many years.

Kermit had many varied interests, one of which was writing and he authored a short fiction, “The Rock,” which was a reminiscence of his childhood.

Another interest was turning pianos, he pursued for many years which afforded a few adventures along the way.

He was a member of the Nance Family Quartet, performing at area churches in Lawrence County. He was also a member of the Huntington Harmonica Club.

He grew up listening to the Reds play on the radio with his brother Jim and was a dedicated fan all of his life. He also loved his many cats and dogs over the years and he especially loved his Willie J. Beagle and Whickers. He will be greatly missed by his current cat, Princess.

His most recent hobbies, of course, simply included watching his grandchildren in all their pursuits and accomplishments, like the wonderful father and grandfather he was. He was always there to root them on and encourage them with a clever word or a thoughtful observation.

He will be missed by all of his family and friends but never forgotten, as I am sure his spirit will visit occasionally around his familiar hills of Southern Ohio and the mountains of North Carolina.

His family appreciate all of the wonderful cards and letters sent to him over the past year. It was a source of great joy for him to hear from so many people as he bravely fought his illness.

Visitation will be at Phillips Funeral Home in Ironton, 2-3p.m. Sunday and funeral services to immediately follow at 3 p.m. Burial will be at Woodland Cemetery at 10 a.m. Monday.

Please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net to offer condolences to the family.