Nancy Vinson Kendrick

Nancy Jeanette Vinson Kendrick was born to Charles and Relda Freeman Vinson on October 21, 1939. She was delivered at home by “Old” Dr. Kennedy. Mrs. Vinson said the delivery took 3 days and was like a cow having a calf. Mr. Vinson who had paid the $25 fee in full thought he should get a refund for his pain and suffering. Nancy was an only child.

Nancy grew up with all the special attention of an only daughter and the favorite of numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Her Uncle Buddy was a paratrooper behind enemy lines in WW II and Uncle John made regular visits to the Arkansas State Hospital. She attended Smackover schools and had a special memory of performing with Diane Alderson as a four-leaf clover petal for the Rotary Club. She was a high school cheerleader and loved riding in cars and listening to the radio. A silly college boy, Lynnwood Cathey, swept her off her feet and they eloped in 1956.

They had two sons, Steven and Michael. Michael was killed in a tragic accident in 1974 and like many marriages following a tragedy theirs did not survive. Lynwood is known to have said, “Nancy, I wasn’t perfect but you sure as hell weren’t bored”. She would not argue the point.

Nancy was a registered nurse and loved working Labor and Delivery, the Emergency Room or the Operating room because she belonged with the fun and excitement. She loved her years at Warner Brown working with Dr. Tommy and Dr. Henley.

Known to her family as Nana, Ms. Kendrick loved dogs, grandchildren, and cooking for others. She was a trove of southern wisdom and her advice was not limited to relationships, child rearing, and the concepts that men should remove their hats inside and that women need milk for strong bones. Nana loved animals and was a regular donor to the ASPCA. She was beyond generous when it came to sharing southern food with her pets. Who knew Jack Russells could eat hot water cornbread, purple hole peas, and turnip greens. Nana did. She respected all living things like people. Having grown up in the shadow of FDR, Eisenhower, and JFK, she had grown frustrated and disappointed with the lack of civility and grace in American politics. Republican nor Democrat, Nana’s loyalty was to reason, good manners, and human decency. Above all, Nana knew how to relax. She loved completing crossword puzzles, shopping from the television, and watching Judge Judy. Her family will miss her cooking and unwavering support.

Mrs. Kendrick was preceded in death by her parents, her son Michael, her husband Kenneth Kendrick, and her beloved morbidly obese Jack Russell Terrier. She is survived by her son Dr. Steven Cathey, daughter in law Dr. Janet Cathey and her Grandchildren Captain Michael Cathey, USMC JAG and granddaughter Elizabeth Cathey, a graduate student at Columbia University School of Journalism as well as the extended Cathey family.

She will be laid to rest in Smackover cemetery on Tuesday, October 2, at 11:00 am.

An online registry may be signed at www.youngsfuneralhome.com