Tom and Nancy welcomed me to my new home as they were my next door neighbors.  First day Nancy came out of her house and recognized me from our Tucker high school class.  How nice to become good neighbors over the next 15  or so years.  

To Tom and family I send my condolences and prayers to you.

Linda Mandell Cain

Nancy and I were born a month apart. She lived in Richmond, and we lived in the county. We didn’t see each other very much. My mother didn’t drive, and Nancy’s mom worked. Nancy always came for Halloween which was fun.

We grew up, got married and had kids. She moved to North Carolina, and I moved to Texas.

We both loved to read. My husband volunteers at the Barbara Bush Library Bookstore. Nancy volunteered at her bookstore. With lots of access to books we started mailing books to each other. With low cost and media rate at the Post Office we would do this often. My older sister Bev joined us to form the VA, NC, and TX book club. When Nancy’s bookstore closed, we started talking on the phone every time Joe went to his bookstore. When Nancy went on her Danielle Steel reading binge, Joe found about a dozen for her. We kept the Post Office busy.

One time during our talks, Nancy told me she had the first stage of Parkinson. Nancy’s spirt and sense of humor never dimmed. She kept strong. Before long, she told me that she was in pain making it difficult to have conversation. Later she had even more medical issues.

One day, Tom called and said they had taken Nancy to the hospital. Her health never seemed to get better. Tom was always good at keeping me up to date on how she was doing.

April 24, Tom called asking if I wanted to say goodbye.

I called her just like we did so often.

I said “Hi Nancy, this is Pat. Joe is at the bookstore. You know I like to call you when he is there. You are a good listener and I always like the stories we tell each other. I know you have been sick for a while. I have missed talking to you, so I just wanted to call and say Hello. Love you, this is Pat.”

Shortly thereafter Tom texted that she had passed.

Nancy was not only my cousin but my best friend. 

Tom,

I'll never forget how welcoming you and Nancy were when my wife and I moved in two doors down and how you always treated us like like family.  We were blessed to share experiences, time, stories, and memories.  You were both always willing to help or visit.  Even after we moved away Nancy's cards full of confetti and letters brought many smiles.  They managed to surprise us more than once too.  She will be missed.  I wish I could be there to comfort you and share stories.  We will always keep Nancy in our memories and your family in our prayers.  

-Ryan & Heather Masters

I am going to miss my sister. We met in church. Our conversations were always entertaining  to us. We really got each other.  Rest my dear friend.

Anntoinette

Tom:

So sorry to hear this news. Our thoughts are with you and your family. Please let us know if there is any way we can help.

Ginger and Buck Youngblood