Nancy Everell Council Anderson

Nancy Everell Council Anderson, 92, of Grand Prairie, passed away July 12, 2015. She was born in Clarksville, Texas on December 26, 1922. Nancy graduated from Clarksville High School in 1939 and married Robert F. Anderson on July 29, 1939, at the age of 16. After the beginning of World War II, many people from small towns moved to work in the defense industry at North American Aviation’s plant in Grand Prairie, including Lela and Frank Council, Nancy’s parents. Nancy and Bob followed and they purchased a home in the Indian Hills neighborhood next door to her parents. Bob enlisted in the Army Air Force, so Nancy followed him around the country as he completed Army Air Force basic training, and then training as a supply technician and clerk. When Bob shipped out to Italy, Nancy moved back to Grand Prairie and completed secretarial school in Dallas. In 1943 Nancy began a career as a personal secretary at North American Aviation Co. When Bob was discharged from the AAF in 1945, he returned to Grand Prairie and they both worked at TEMCO Aircraft. Nancy became the personal secretary to the president of Falcon Manufacturing in Dallas. She was a member and officer of the Dallas Chapter of the National Secretaries Assn., serving as the Civics Projects Committee Chairman. Her daughter, Melissa Kay, was born in 1959. Bob passed away in December, 1966, so Nancy returned to work in Grand Prairie to become a legal secretary at Wright & Associates Law Offices, and then later at Behan & Leech Law Offices. When Melissa entered junior high, Nancy became self-employed as a typist & printer so she could be more available to participate in school activities.Nancy was dedicated to working with groups to improve the lives of others. She worked with the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and was very active in PTA. She was president of the Grand Prairie High School PTA, a life member of the Texas & National PTAs, and continued to be an active member of the Grand Prairie Post PTA. She was an active member of Happy Helping Hands for 40 years until they merged into the Grand Prairie Food & Clothing Emergency Assistance Co-op, then served on the Co-op’s Board of Directors. She was instrumental in their work as a Bingo Charity, was Chairman of the Federal “Cheese and Butter” distribution to all eligible Grand Prairie residents, for 25 years she worked with HHH to deliver toys at Christmas to every needy child in Grand Prairie, and helped HHH purchase and distribute school supplies to GPISD elementary schools’ needy students for 15 years. She also served on the Client Services Committee of the North Texas Food Bank for 10 years. Nancy was co-founder of the Lennox House in Grand Prairie, affordable housing for the elderly. As a joint effort with HHH, the City of GP, and the Dallas County Area Agency on Aging, she worked for 13 years to obtain the 501(c)(3) nonprofit designation of Residential Enterprises. Nancy was a member & past president of the GP chapter of AARP. She helped organize & served on the Grand Prairie Human Services Commission, as well as numerous City of GP and GPISD committees and commissions. For 8 years, Nancy alone ran the camera in the City Council chambers to televise meetings of the Commission on Aging. She served on the organizational Board of Directors of the Wellness Clinic sponsored by the Immaculate Conception Church in GP, and continued to serve on the Board for 8 years. She was an active member of the Oaks & Acorns Garden Club, serving in many different offices. Nancy received the “Volunteer of the Year” award from the City of Grand Prairie in 1990 and received the “Love Priest Senior Citizen of the Year” award a few years later. In recognition of her many years of community service she received the “Community Builder Award” from the Sam R. Hamilton Masonic Lodge No. 1031 of Grand Prairie in 2012. In the citation that accompanies that award, it states that they wanted to “formally recognize Nancy Anderson for distinguishing herself through her service to the community and to humanity. She has been involved in local issues and interests without the benefit of a college education…Year in and year out, quietly and without fanfare, Nancy showed her devotion to her community and its people…without the expectation of awards of honors.” She was a member of First Methodist Church in Grand Prairie.Nancy had a passion for serving others, education, genealogy & history, crossword puzzles, reading, gardening, and family. She is survived by daughter, Melissa Kay Anderson Benge & husband Jeffery L. Benge; granddaughter, Jessica Lynn Benge; sisters-in-law Nell Wright Council and Elza “Connie” Anderson Sommerville; brothers-in-law Joe Anderson and Tom Anderson; cousin Dr. Caroline Aldredge Skalicky; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by husband Robert F. Anderson; parents Lela and Frank C. Council Sr.; and brothers Frank C. Council Jr. and James R. Council. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Grand Prairie Food & Clothing Co-op. To leave an online condolence to the family, please visit our website at www.moore-funeralhome.com.