In a log cabin in Whitney, Texas, Nancy Joe was the 10th child born to Alta and Mamie (Murray) Greenwade on November 13, 1933. With nine older siblings, Nancy (mostly called “Joe”) had cousins and nieces and nephews close to her own age around much of her growing up years. Her doting father passed away when she was only eighteen months old. In her early years, the family moved to south Texas. Nancy shared that even during the Depression, it never occurred to them how poor they really were. They always had food on the table and clothes to wear.
Nancy was quite accomplished at Pharr San Juan Alamo High School, playing clarinet in the band and being part of the debate team. She lived with her mother, Mamie, while pursuing her business degree and provided much of the financial support when her mother became ill. She enjoyed her job at Closner Insurance and used her business skills throughout her life. Mamie passed away when Nancy was close to graduation. Nancy spoke of her mother, Mamie as a beloved mentor and friend.
Nancy met and dated Art Johnson (USAF officer) during college. They graduated from Pan American University in May 1955 and got married within the same week. During their 27 year marriage, they were blessed with three daughters, Linda, Laura and Lisa. Nancy loved being an Air Force Officer’s wife and a mother to her girls. She served in many leadership roles for organizations such as Officer’s Wives Club, Girl Scouts, and the Parent Teacher Association. While Art was in the Air Force, they lived in Harlingen, TX; Oklahoma, Illinois, Missouri, the Philippines, Michigan, Georgia, Alabama and then San Antonio, TX where Art retired from the USAF as a major.
The Johnsons moved to San Antonio in 1968 and Nancy pursued certification in order to begin her second career in teaching. She taught first in elementary school and then found her niche in middle school, mostly teaching sixth grade language arts. During her San Antonio years, all three girls completed high school and got married. As Lisa’s health failed, Nancy spent much of her time caring for her until her death in 1998.
Nancy’s final and favorite job came with her retirement from teaching in 1993 – when she became known as “Granny” to anyone in the younger generations. She dearly loved all of her grandchildren and spent as much time with them as possible. She lived near Linda’s family in Tallahassee, FL from 2004-2011 and then returned to Texas when Linda and Reid moved to the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Laura and Linda have both enjoyed having her close the last several years. Nancy’s last few years have been filled with new friends at FBC Mansfield, sewing, crocheting, knitting and smocking for grandchildren and great-grandchildren and generally loving on all who came her way. After all her siblings passed away, she continued to have strong relationships with many of her nieces and nephews that she grew up with and their families. Granny has always been an avid reader and always had a book going. She loved the Lord and radiated His love everywhere she went. She never met a stranger and her smile was contagious and genuine.
Nancy is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Reid Stringer of Burleson, TX and Laura and Greg Edmondson of Fort Worth, TX; eight grandchildren: Kris Stringer (and wife, Christina) of Arlington, TX; Kenley Stringer (and wife, Calyn) of Tallahassee, FL; Kevin Stringer of Burleson, TX; Tamara Stringer Love (and husband, Bryan) of Houston, TX; Kyle Stringer (and wife Alyssa) of Tacoma, WA; Matt Edmondson (and fiancée Mandy), Tim Edmondson, and Jeff Edmondson, all of the DFW area. Nancy also had eight great-grandchildren: Camron, Sarah, Rachel, Eric, Dale, Brittan, Maya, and Lacey.
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