Nancy Elaine Neely Whitaker age 67, wife, mother, daughter, sister, and dear friend, peacefully went to be with her Lord and Savior on May 11, 2023, at home with family by her side. Nancy was diagnosed with colon cancer in December of 2017 and chose to keep this news within the family and close friends. Despite her immense bravery and the heroic efforts of her doctors, treatment was unsuccessful.
Nancy was born on December 8, 1955, to Ray and Dorothy (Giles) Neely. On November 10, 1979, she married her best friend and love of her life, Chris Whitaker. Chris and Nancy have three children, Edwin, Justin, and Bethany. Nancy was an amazing cook and cooking for others was one of her favorite past times. You never left Nancy’s house without something to eat. Nancy was very generous to her family and friends, always wanting to give to others. She loved to give so much that she set up an endowment fund to support students of Claiborne County who want to pursue a career in Nursing at Lincoln Memorial University. Nancy loved her alma mater, LMU and recently received the Nancy Rogers Leach Volunteer of the Year award. She had a long-time and loving sisterhood with her sorority sisters of the Delta Theta Sigma Sorority. Nancy loved her family and had such amazing bond with her mother, Dorothy and siblings, JoAnn, Alan, and Lori.
Nancy was preceded in death by:
Ray Neely (father);
R.O. and Pearl (Campbell) Giles (grandparents);
Luther and Lizzie Neely (grandparents);
Swann and Georgia (DeBusk) Whitaker (father and mother-in law);
Constance Whitaker (sister-in-law).
Nancy is survived by:
Chris Whitaker (husband of 44 years), Edwin (Jodi) Whitaker (son), Justin (Alexa) Whitaker (son), Bethany (Christian) Prince (daughter), Dorothy Giles Neely (mother), Corbin Whitaker (grandson), Harrison Whitaker (grandson), Neely Prince (granddaughter), Harper Prince (granddaughter) , Rylee Prince (granddaughter), JoAnn Engand, (sister), Alan (Becky) Neely (brother), Lori (John) Thompson (sister), Craig Whitaker (brother-in-law), a host of nieces and nephews, and Vivian Fultz (family friend).
Nancy will be honored with a receiving of friends at First Baptist Church in New Tazewell, TN on Monday, May 15, 2023, from 4-7 pm with a Celebration of Life to follow. Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at 10 am. Funeral arrangements will be handled by Coffey Funeral Home in Tazewell.
Nancy’s family asks in lieu of flowers to donate to the Nancy Neely Whitaker scholarship fund. Please make checks payable to LMU (in memo line: Nancy Whitaker). Address to LMU care of Cindy Whitt, 6965 Cumberland Gap Parkway, Harrogate, TN 37752.
The family of Nancy Neely Whitaker would like to send out special thanks to: Dr. Robert Wilmoth, UT Cancer Center, Taylor Sexton (UT Hospice), her sorority sisters, and a special group of friends who supported Nancy during her journey.
Pallbearers: Corbin Whitaker, Harrison Whitaker, William Thompson, Austin Neely, Jeff Bayless, Trey Hanna, and Rick Furman.
Nancy’s favorite bible verse:
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
