An earthly ray of light - one of beauty and strength, humor and grace, one that impacted so many lives - ended today; while an angel rose. She was born Nancy Carol Stewart, 29 May 1952, to Dorothy Monroe Stewart and Byrne Wadkins Stewart Jr., at Brookley Airforce Base, Mobile Alabama. The last of three children, Nancy was a spunky caboose to sister Gail and brother Byrne III. She lived her younger years in Wadley, Georgia, a town that could easily have served for filming Mayberry RFD. Such was the joy of safely riding her bike around town after school with friends. Prior to entering high school, Nancy’s family moved to Dothan, Alabama, where she once served as a presentee in the Dothan Peanut Festival. Though friends tried to lure Nancy away to Florida State, fortunately, she decided to follow her father’s lead, and entered Auburn University the fall of 1970, where she pledged Phi Mu Sorority. Nancy beamed with happiness, but was also tempered with a side, prone to quick opinions. So armed, she met and secured many friendships among the other coeds. And of course, the guys took notice too. George was one such student, immediately smitten with her auburn locks and freckle-faced beauty; however, he lacked the appropriate skills to effectively woo her. And so – empty handed - he headed home to Birmingham after graduation. His luck turned up when Nancy graduated Auburn with a masters in Rehabilitation Counseling and started work at the Lakeshore Rehabilitation Hospital in Birmingham. Once settled, Nancy helped her sister Gail with her newborn child Martee, who over the years, essentially became a daughter. Nancy and George started seeing one another again, and after a year or so - and after SEVERAL proposals - she finally capitulated. They were wed 8 October 1977 at the First United Methodist Church of Dothan and started their married life on Aberdeen Road near English Village in Birmingham. And the family began to grow. Caroline was born in 1979, followed by George Jr. in 1986 and Dorothy in 1989. By that time, the family had moved to its final home on Forest Glen near Crestline. While the children were young, the family took several driving trips out west, and Nancy came to love western art, particularly that found in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Later, due to Caroline attending Bowdoin College, Maine became a favorite yearly destination, where Nancy’s magnetic personality brought forth lifelong friendships. Nancy’s interests were wide ranging. She stayed active throughout life, with competitive tennis and Bridge as two major interests. She served on the Altar Guild at Advent Episcopal Church for many years and later at Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church. She served on the board of the Episcopal Church Women (ECW). And she was a volunteer for the Founder’s Place at Saint Luke’s. Nancy was a member of the Crepe Myrtle Garden Club, Cambridge Study Club and Maskers Dance Club. Nancy enjoyed art and was briefly a docent at the Birmingham Museum of Art. She was a consummate cook and excelled in the art of poundcakes. She also secretly cooked green beans with bacon, so her vegetarian husband wouldn’t know. When not cooking, Nancy enjoyed dining at the Mountain Brook Club. She loved the club and its staff. She was insistent on keeping her house decorated properly, sometimes to a fault. She especially enjoyed jaunts to the beach or mountains with close friends. Later in life, Nancy’s name changed to “Nini,” as she became a loving grandmother to her eight grandchildren and achieved matriarch status. She will be remembered most for her happiness, laughter, grace, and – yes – quick opinions, that drew countless people to her, a best friend to many. Nancy Stewart Thompson died peacefully 8 June 2021. She was predeceased by her parents, Byrne Wadkins Stewart Jr. and Dorothy Monroe Stewart. She is survived by her brother Byrne Wadkins Stewart III (Nancy) and sister Gail Stewart Smith; by her husband: George Clinton Thompson Sr.; by her children: Caroline Thompson Little (Mark), George Clinton Thompson Jr. (Mackin), and Dorothy Ryals Thompson; and by her grandchildren: Nancy Ryals Little, Dewitt Vanderite Little, Julianna Elizabeth Little, William Andrew Goodner, Jr., Fenn Thompson Goodner, Frances Hall Thompson, Tanner Mackin Thompson and George Clinton Thompson III. Nancy was a force, always full of life and happiness, who loved her family fiercely, as well as her many best friends. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and caregivers at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, the UAB Department of Radiology, and HomeRN, for their valiant efforts in helping Nancy through her final challenge. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to: Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church Foundation; Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama; the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB; or an entity of your choice. We will celebrate Nancy’s life Friday, 11 June 2021 at Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church. Visitation will be at 10:00 AM followed by a memorial service at 11:00 AM. Please see below a YouTube link to view the service.
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