Nancy Haltom Rood

Atlanta, GA — Nancy Haltom Rood, a long-time resident of Atlanta and native of High Point, North Carolina, died of cancer on Sunday the 19th of June at the family home. Her husband and daughters were with her prior to her passing. She was preceded in death by her parents George C. and Paulette Rodgers Haltom. Born on March 25, 1933 in Thomasville, North Carolina, Nancy received a Bachelor of Arts in 1955 from Greensboro College in North Carolina where she was President of the student body. She continued her education at Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois where she met Ferguson and where she received her Master’s of Speech Language Pathology in 1956. In 1956 she came to Atlanta where she worked at the Davison School in Atlanta and was also contracted by Southern Railway to do hearing tests on their employees. On July 12, 1958, Nancy and Ferguson Elwyn Rood were married and began their life together. As Nancy and Ferg began their family, Nancy was home where she raised their three daughters and invested many hours in her community. She was active with Atlanta Symphony Associates where she also worked on the symphony decorator show house. and Guild, was a volunteer and helped spouses of International Visitors Associates of Atlanta to understand English and cultural aspects of the community. She was an Active Girl Scout Leader, co-president with her husband of the Medlock PTA, Oak Grove PTA and Lakeside High School PTA. Nancy was a Board member of the Davison School where she served as Chairman of the Board and where she initiated an Air Show fundraiser at Fulton County Airport in support the school. She served on the Board of Trustees of her alma mater Greensboro College for 7 years. She was an active member of Oak Grove United Methodist church earlier in her life where she served as a leader and member of the Altar guild and also helped to establish the Day School at the church. Nancy was known for her hospitality especially for her family and many friends that she and Ferg met through their travels across the United States. Nancy loved to entertain and share special meals with family. She enjoyed gardening, the performing arts, cooking, entertaining, helping others feel like family. She had the most gracious and wonderful smile and bright eyes that could light up a room. She is survived by her husband of nearly 58 years, Ferguson Elwyn Rood who is a retired Vice President of Atlanta Journal and Constitution and Cox Newspapers, a division of Cox Enterprises, and their daughters Cynthia Robinson (David), Catherine Philips (Skip) and Carolyn Little and 7 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She is also survived by many cousins and extended family members that have brought joy to Nancy and Ferg during their travels and whenever there was an occasion for a visit. The family is grateful for the care provided Nancy from the physicians and staff of Piedmont Hospital, Signature Rehabilitation, Atlanta Hospice and the care givers Jan Champion, Catherine Smith, Inus Quincey, Marva Jackson and Silvia Baxter for the last months of her life. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 22nd from 6-8 pm at H.M. Patterson and Son Oglethorpe Hill in Brookhaven. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, June 23rd at 11am at Oak Grove United Methodist Church with a reception following the service. Burial will take place following the reception at Floral Hills Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, Memorial gifts may be made to: Greensboro College - Rood Fund for Student Leadership, 813 West Market Street, Greensboro, NC 2740.