Nancy Whatley Wingard

Nancy Whatley Wingard June 25, 1936-Sept. 8, 2020

Our sweet mother, Nancy Whatley Wingard, passed away on September 8 after a long illness. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert (Bob) Wingard, whom she met and married while they were students at Birmingham Southern College. She had a unique and beautiful relationship with each of their three children - Amy Templeton, Alicia Wingard (Bob Yarling), and Eric Wingard. She was a loving grandmother to her two grandsons - Ryan Templeton and Bobby Wingard.

With her joyful smile and twinkling eyes, she lit up every room she entered. She never met a stranger, and once she was your friend, you had a friend for life. She loved to read books, magazines, and newspapers, and enjoyed poring over the dictionary to learn new words. She sent handwritten letters long after most of us had turned to text and email.

She was born in Jackson, a small town in South Alabama, but in later years, traveled all over the U. S. and to ten foreign countries. She loved art history and was a docent at the Birmingham Museum of Art for more than a decade. She was deeply spiritual and rarely missed a Sunday at First United Methodist Church in Birmingham until she was physically unable to attend.

More than anything else, Nancy loved music. It coursed through her veins and filled her soul. Her mother taught her to play the piano when she was a small child. By age 13, Nancy was the pianist at her church, and by 15, she was the accompanist for her high school choir. After majoring in music at Birmingham Southern College, she taught hundreds of piano students over her 55-year career. She gave them skills and discipline to succeed, but most of all, she instilled in them a deep and abiding love of music. Many of her students went on to become professional musicians, professors of music, or concert pianists.

Nancy’s time on earth has ended, but her light will shine on through her family, friends, and students who loved her.

There will be a family graveside service in Nancy's hometown of Jackson, with a Celebration of Life service for all family and friends to be held in Birmingham at a later date.

The family suggests memorial gifts to the Birmingham-Southern College Conservatory of Fine and Performing Arts, to support a scholarship in Mrs.Wingard’s name. Gifts may be made online here, or mailed (payable to BSC) to Birmingham-Southern College, 900 Arkadelphia Road, Box 549003, Birmingham, AL 35254; (205) 226-4909.