Ray was born on May 13, 1938, to Richard Henry and Lona Mayo Nance of Winston County. He married the love of his life, Carol Anne Hill, on July 3, 1959, and they were blessed with two children, Alicia Carol Nance and William Patrick Nance. Ray served his community and country as a law enforcement officer and active-duty member of the Mississippi National Guard for 43 years, and he was a member of South Louisville Baptist Church. After retirement, he enjoyed working at Deanco Auction Company, and the simple things in life such as spending time with his family, watching Mississippi State sports, and drinking coffee with his best friends.
Ray is preceded in death by his son, William Patrick Nance; his parents, Richard Henry and Lona Mayo Nance; his siblings, Richard Bryce “R. B.” Nance, Bettye Ruth Schoolar, Clarence Estes Nance, Carrie Maxine Reynolds, and Edith Ann Triplett; and his mother-in-law, Agnes Butler Ruff. Survivors include his loving wife of 65 years, Carol Anne Nance; his daughter, Alicia (Terry) Deas; his siblings, Joe Denton Nance and Dianne Nance Mayo; and his nieces and nephews. One of Ray’s greatest joys was being “Pop” to his grandchildren, Dr. Aimee Brown and Brian (Falan) Chandler, and his great-grandchildren, Baleigh Grace Brown and Rekker Reese Richardson.
The Nance family would like to thank Dr. Dustin Gentry and the staff of Winston Medical Center and Winston County Nursing Home for the care and compassion they provided Ray the past year. Memorials in honor of Ray be sent to South Louisville Baptist Church, c/o Carla Fleming, 933 South Church Avenue, Louisville, MS 39339.
Services are under the direction of Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.
