Nancy McNeill Nelson

Published 2:13 pm Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Nancy McNeill Nelson, 85, of Bermuda Run, died on Feb. 12, 2018 following an extended illness. She was surrounded by family and friends at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice House in Winston-Salem.

She was born in Lexington on March 15, 1932 to Sandy Alexander and Helen Leonard McNeill. She grew up in Robbins, and played women’s basketball for Elise High School, graduating in June 1950. In 1953, she earned a degree in early childhood education from High Point University. She pursued her passion, teaching in High Point and Chapel Hill. She was a devoted mother to three and passionate “GG” (grandmother) to six. As the fun-loving neighborhood mom with a red convertible, she was known as “Super Red” and “Nurse Nancy” to many. Whilst notorious for her honest and fierce personality, she was also a talented seamstress, fashionista, and Mrs. Fix-it. She was eager to be part of the ride. The loyalty she had towards her children and grandchildren, and overall zest for fun, took her to multiple cities, theatre arts productions, equestrian events, shopping trips, and basketball games. She was a founding member of the Steel Magnolias, an active part of the High Point University Alumni Association that sponsors a scholarship fund and frequently hosts events on campus. She was an enthusiastic volunteer with Meals on Wheels for more than a decade, and delighted in brightening the day of many homebound seniors. She was a Duplicate Bridge player and belonged to several bridge clubs.

She was predeceased by her parents and her brothers, Tommy Alexander McNeill of Winston-Salem and Johnny Coy McNeill of Robbins.

Survivors: her children, Zan Nelson Davis of Clemmons, (John); Roxanne Nelson King of Spartanburg, S.C. (George); and William Lee Nelson Jr. of Lewisville (Ginger); grandchildren, John Gunn Davis of Winston-Salem, Kimberly Davis of Miami, Fla., Meredith Davis of Newcastle, UK, Elizabeth King of New Orleans, La., and William Lee Nelson III (Will) and Tanner Martin Nelson of Lewisville; sisters-in-law, Willa McNeill Williams and Phyllis McNeill; nephews Mark McNeill and Craig Phifer; and nieces Tanya McNeill, Diane Logan, Sandy Evans and Shannon Francisco.

A memorial service will be officiated graveside at Pine Rest Cemetery, 541 Plank Road, Robbins, by Pastor Mamie Alley of Tabernacle United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17.

Memorials: High Point University for “Steel Magnolias Scholarship Fund”, One University Parkway, Drawer 29, High Point, 27268; or The Children’s Home Society of North Carolina, PO Box 14608, Greensboro, 27415.