Kenneth Harris Nance

He was born to Wendell and Jessie Nance on November 12, 1941 in Griffin, Georgia. After graduating from West Georgia College (as a Who’s Who Among Students at American Universities and Colleges award winner) and getting his Masters of Education from the University of Georgia, Ken served his country as a Lieutenant Junior Grade in the United States Navy, which took him to naval stations in Rhode Island, Newfoundland, Cuba, and San Salvador.

After honorable discharge in 1969, Ken turned his focus to supporting his community in Rome, Georgia. He met his wife, Mary Hancock Nance, and they became life-long residents of his beloved Summerville Park. Together, they had 2 children: Kathryn and Anna.

As a rehabilitation counselor, he helped countless differently-abled people find employment and became an advocate for businesses to become more accessible for people with disabilities. In 1994, he furthered his work to champion for the disabled as the president of the Georgia Rehabilitation Counseling Association, and received the Award of Excellence - Rehabilitation Case of the Year in 1978, 1979 and 1991. Nance served as President of the Rome-Floyd County InterAgency Council in 1985 and Program Chairman in 1994. He was a past member of the Rome Rotary Club, where he expertly showcased their motto of “service above self,” chairing the Red Apple Luncheon committee to welcome new teachers to the Rome and Floyd County community schools. He sat on the board of the Hospitality House, a nonprofit organization providing support services to victims of domestic violence. Nance also served as fund raiser for the Rome/Floyd County Chamber of Commerce and took a more active leadership role in the affairs of Rome and Floyd County with his work with Leadership Rome (1992-1993). And he helped to further the mission of Jesus Christ through his work for First Baptist Church of Rome, where he served as a life deacon, Sunday School director, deacon chairman in 1997, and participated in missions both locally and abroad (including a trip to New Orleans after Katrina where he returned to literally kiss the floor of his home in gratitude).

Ken enjoyed the simpler things in life. He enjoyed tennis, UGA football, basketball, and Varsity chili dogs. He fancied himself a short order cook of Waffle House caliber, and would offer anyone who needed a pick-me-up one of his patented Kennybux, a coffee concoction that rivaled any Starbucks treat. Above all, Ken loved his family and friends. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis Wendell Nance and Jessie Milam Nance. He is survived by his wife Mary Hancock Nance; children Kathryn Nance Courtoy and Anna Nance Smithson; grandchildren Cooper Matthew Courtoy, Clara Nancy Courtoy, and Savanna Eve Smithson; and brothers James Nance (Martha) and Robin Nance (Althea), nephew John Nance, nieces Martha Nance Keim and Jennifer Nance Schmid, and their families.

The memorial service for Kenneth Harris Nance is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Friday, March 4, 2022 in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Rome. Honorary pallbearers for the service will be Dr. Sidney Bell, Bill Davies, Dr. Fernando Molina, Otis Rayborn, Larry Smith, and Tony Triplett. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donating to William S. Davies Homeless Shelters or Habitat for Humanity on his behalf.