Nancy Dellinger

Nancy McHam Dellinger passed away peacefully on Thursday June 27, 2024. Nancy was born in Inman Mills, South Carolina on September 29, 1935, to Clarence Oliver McHam and Lois Robbins McHam. Her family lived on C Street surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins living within blocks of each other. During World War II, Nancy moved with her mother and brother to her Robbins grandparents’ farm in Shiloh NC while her father was serving in the war. When she was in the fifth grade, her family moved to Spindale, NC and she later graduated from R-S Central High Schol in Rutherfordton, NC.

After high school, Nancy graduated from Mars Hill College and Carson Newman College earning a degree in education. Following graduation, she became a schoolteacher for Gaston County Schools working first at East Gastonia Elementary, and then teaching 2nd and 3rd grade for many years at Peedin Elementary and Arlington Elementary from where she retired. She remained friends with her fellow teachers and attended the Arlington teacher yearly reunion for many years following her retirement.

She met Paul soon after moving to Gastonia and was introduced to him by her future in-laws, while she was boarding with them for a short while. Their 1959 Christmastime wedding was postponed until February of 1960 while Nancy recovered from a serious car accident. On what would have been her wedding day, Nancy was surprised with a bridal shower in her hospital room at the exact time of her planned wedding ceremony. The surprise shower was reported in the local paper. When the rescheduled wedding day arrived, it rained, sleeted and snowed and as their wedding album noted “we got married anyway.” Soon after getting married, Nancy and Paul moved into a new house on Stonehaven Lane where they lived for 40 years. Paul and Nancy eventually moved to Hoffman Place where they were living when Paul passed away in 2013, and Nancy continued to live there blessed by a lovely group of neighbors. Nancy moved to Brookdale Robinwood in 2022 where she enjoyed the staff, residents, social events and field trips.

Nancy was a long-time member of Unity Baptist Church in Gastonia, NC where she was a member of the Joy Sunday School class. She sang in the choir and enjoyed activities with the Sunshine Club.

Nancy liked to shop and even while living at Brookdale Robinwood, was one of the first residents to sign up for their shopping trips. She was always up for a visit to Tony’s Ice Cream for a hot dog or a cone of her favorite banana ice cream. She enjoyed trips to the mountains and spending time with her family. Watching ACC college basketball and football was a favorite pastime. She was a long-time avid NC State fan, which was not always easy. One of her favorite memories was the 1974 basketball national championship. She was especially exited earlier this year when NC State men’s and women’s basketball teams made to the Final Four. Go Wolfpack!

Nancy is preceded in death by her husband Paul Louis Dellinger, Jr. to whom she was married for 53 years. She is survived by her daughter, Cheryl Dellinger Bradshaw and her husband Lester; her son Chris Dellinger and his wife Roxane; her grandchildren Jake Bradshaw, Rachel Bradshaw Roberts and her husband Jack Roberts. She is also survived by her brother David McHam and his wife Betty Lynn McHam, and her sister-in-law Jane Dellinger Baker.

The family would like to thank the staff of Brookdale Robinwood where Nancy lived the past two years, and to her secret Santa who delighted her and Paul with special gifts on Christmas Eve for many years.

A memorial service will be held at Unity Baptist Church at 2:00 PM on Monday July 1, 2024, 482 N. Myrtle School Road, Gastonia, NC. The family will receive friends at 1:00 PM before the service at the church. Interment will follow at Gaston Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to Unity Baptist Church, 482 N. Myrtle School Rd. Gastonia, NC. https://www.ubcgastonia.org/give

Arrangements are in the care of Carothers Funeral Home, Gastonia NC.