Nancy Vandegrift

Nancy was born in El Dorado, AR on March 4, 1937 to parents Granville Claude Heard and Lorene Riggan Heard. Nancy attended public schools in El Dorado and graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a degree in Secretarial Science in 1957.

Nancy married her neighborhood sweetheart Thomas L. Vandegrift on December 21, 1957. Nancy and Tom were blessed with three wonderful children Lee Ellen, Jill and Brian.

Nancy worked as a Secretary for six years after marriage then worked to establish households and raise the children as she and Tom moved from location to location with new schools, churches, friends, doctors and all the challenges that go with successful and meaningful living.

As a child growing up Nancy enjoyed roller skating on the sidewalks around Yocum Grade School and family outings in Central Arkansas with the rather large families of her parents.

As she grew older, she and friends had regular square dancing get togethers that turned to ballroom dancing with gowns and corsages in High School. Tom got into the act when she entered High School. Of course, family, church and school were an important part of this.

Nancy achieved strong piano skills during this period and at one time after marriage played the piano and organ at a small church she and Tom attended. Nancy was a good student and a member of the National Honor Society.

After marriage and work, her emphasis and achievement was on establishing successful households, roots and friendships in Port Sulphur, Gretna, Folsom and New Orleans, LA, in Darien, CT twice and Irian Jaya, Indonesian before retiring to Hot Springs.

One of Nancy’s loves was tennis. She had wonderful tennis friends in Darien, New Orleans and in Hot Springs with a group called the “Golden Girls” where Nancy was the only brunette.

Nancy loved her PEO, Progressive and Athena organizations and the service to others and friendships they provided. The Saints and Sinner’s Sunday School Class at the First United Methodist Church and the Hot Springs Giving Circle provided not only a faith opportunity and friendships but an opportunity to give back and support many meaningful non-profit organizations in Hot Springs and beyond.

Nancy was blessed beyond words to have the loving support of family and friends throughout her lifetime and especially this year while courageously fighting a terrible illness. Nancy was an unfailingly supportive partner to Tom in making their many relocations a success as part of a life well lived!

Nancy is survived by her husband Thomas L. Vandegrift, daughter Jill V. Barnhart (Don), son Brian T. Vandegrift (Prinn) and grandchildren Taylor and Alexandra Felts, Kate Hilton (Jake), Ben Barnhart (Nicki), Georgia Barnhart, Thomas Luck Vandegrift, brother Gerald Heard (Donna), sister-in-law Sue Ellen Vandegrift and many wonderful nieces, nephews and friends.

Nancy was preceded in death by her daughter Lee Vandegrift Felts, parents Granville and Lorene Heard, Tom’s parents Dee and Anna Vandegrift, brother- in- law Jack C. Vandegrift, sister-in-law Deanna V. Byers and other family members and friends.

Jesus said” I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die” John 11:25-26.

A Service of remembrance with love will be at the First United Methodist Church, Hot Springs, Arkansas, with Pastor J.J. Galloway presiding, and Minister and former Pastor David Wilson assisting on Monday 14, 2024 at 2:00pm. A reception will follow in the Christian Life Center. A private burial with the family will take place in the Church’s Memorial Garden and Columbarium.

For those who wish to make a memorial gift, the family suggests the Memorial Garden and Columbarium of the First United Methodist Church, Hot Springs, AR 71901 or the Lee Vandegrift Felts Sculpture Garden at Garvan Woodland Gardens, 550 Arkridge Road, Hot Springs, AR,71913. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.GrossFuneralHome.com for the Vandegrift family.