Harry Nance

Harry Fuqua Nance, age 79, went to be with Jesus on Sunday, May 3, 2020 at his home surrounded by family. Harry was born February 11, 1941 on his mother’s birthday to the late Homer Fuqua Nance and Dovie Gibbs Nance. He grew up in the Bunker Hill community on their family farm raising tobacco and cattle with his siblings Shirley Candler, Mary Ellen Spradlin, Edith Elliott, and Kenneth Nance (Faye). Harry graduated from Moneta High School in 1959 where he played on the school’s volleyball team before entering the workforce at Bunker Hill Store and Rubatex, where he was a nightshift foreman.

Harry married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Jean “Dottie” Myers, and leaves her to cherish his memory and their 58 years of marriage along with their four children, Jeannette Baylor, Cindy Epperly (Eddie), Chris Nance, and Julie Bays (Clyde). Harry’s greatest joy included his grandchildren, Waring Baylor, Landon Bays, Brennon Bays (Sydney), Karenna Bays, Libby Nance, and their “adopted” grandson, Derek Kirschner. He left them much wisdom that they’ll carry throughout their lives and pass along to their children and grandchildren. Mt. Olivet Southern Baptist Church was Harry’s lifelong church home and a place he helped build both physically and spiritually. He loved to sing in the choir with his beautiful baritone voice. He and Dottie sang many duets together in church and at funerals throughout the county. He served as deacon, Sunday School teacher, and in most every other capacity there. His love for family and friends and spending time with them led him to plan annual reunions and church events. He organized homecoming Sundays, Christmas caroling throughout the Bunker Hill community, Bath County cabin gatherings, and was known as the reunion planner for both sides of his family. He enjoyed having everyone together and looked forward to every event. Springlake Livestock Market was where he could be found every Saturday talking with his farmer friends and gleaning market information to share with his family. Mondays found him at the Moneta Senior Citizen Center playing Rook and winning most games. He was also a master checker player and won most every game he played with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed his breakfast crew at Hardee’s, the lunch crew at Body Camp Store, and the Wednesday night “Choir Practice” gatherings with his neighbors. Harry is now gathering with those who have gone to Heaven ahead of him and he anxiously awaits those who will join him forever praising his Heavenly Father. He is in the heavenly choir singing “The King is Coming,” the song he is most noted for singing solo at church on many occasions.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mount Olivet Southern Baptist Church Audiovisual Department at 2933 Mt Olivet Rd, Bedford VA 24523 or The National D-Day Memorial at 3 Overlord Circle, Bedford VA 24523. Please place “In Memory of Harry Nance” in the memo area if you choose to give a contribution in his memory. A memorial service will be held at his residence on Saturday, May 9th 2020.