Rev. James C. Nance, Age 83, of Greenville went to be with the Lord on Saturday, February 28, 2009, at Greencrest Manor Nursing Home. Services will be at 2:00 PM, Monday, March 2, 2009, at Coker –Mathews Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Rodney Williams, Rev. Royce Litchfield, and Rev. Larry Combs officiating. Interment will be at Forest Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 pm to 6 pm Sunday at the funeral home.
Rev. Nance was born on August 31, 1925 in Chattanooga, Tennessee to John Calvin Nance and Elizabeth Ira Greer Nance. On July 23, 1952, he married Patsy Ruth Craighead in Farmersville. Together they served in ministry for 39 years at Cedar Grove Baptist Church in Hunt County. During that time they had two children and five grandchildren. They also operated Nance’s Daycare together in their home for many years ministering to many children in this area. He was lovingly referred to as “Preacher” by their daycare children. Patsy preceded him in death on December 13, 1991.
On December 23, 1993, he married his longtime friend, Beatrice Calhoun May. They served at Reavilon Baptist Church for a number of years before his retirement. Bro. Jimmy pastored in the Hunt Baptist Association for over 50 years. He served in the United States Army during World War II serving in Germany and France as a surgical tech.
His survivors include his wife, Beatrice Nance of Greenville; daughter Elizabeth Bowers and husband, Bobby of Greenville and his son Willie C. “Corky” Nance and wife, Carlene of New Braunfels; grandchildren Craig Bowers and wife Kim, Kevin Bowers and wife Charmaina, Katie Bowers and Drew Holloway all of Greenville; James Eric Nance and wife, Amanda and Holli Chappell and husband Gary all of New Braunfels; great-grandchildren that he adored Caden and Caroline Bowers, Travis Bowers, Baylee Holloway, Hannah and Hayden Chappell, Kelton James Nance, and Jacob, Marissa, and Lisa Farquhar; and special little nieces Abby, Ellie, Lucy Grace, and Zoe Fields.
In addition to his first wife, he was also preceded in death by his parents and 2 brothers.
Pallbearers will be Craig Bowers, Kevin Bowers, Eric Nance, Gary Chappell, Drew Holloway, and Greg Fields.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Tom Norrell, Ferrell Norrell, Bob Fulton, Bill Miller and Burke Bailey.
