Nancy Gayle Reeder Stiltner Tully, 88, of Huntington, West Virginia, died August 9 in the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House, Huntington, surrounded by her loved ones.
Nancy was born September 1, 1936, in Huntington, the daughter of Howard and Phyllis Parker Reeder. She was a graduate of Huntington High School, Huntington Business School, and attended Marshall University. She was a secretary for several years at Marshall, first in the College of Business and then as the assistant to the Dean of the Graduate School. In later years, she was the secretary at Cammack Junior High School. She was the secretary at Davis Creek Elementary School, a school community she dearly loved, until her retirement.
Nancy is preceded in death by her parents, her first husband and father of her children, Ronald “Bo” Stiltner, and her second husband, William Tully; her sisters Patty Arthur and Peggy Miller, and brothers Dick Reeder and Fred Reeder. She is survived by one brother, David Reeder, and her children: Cinda Harkless (Ed), Ronald Stiltner, Jr. (Patti), David Stiltner (Annette), and Amy Zopp (Jeff). She was a proud grandmother and great-grandmother to Katy Melius (Peter Chanas), and their children Cashel, Briar, and Freya; Sarah Beth Harkless (Mark Black), Caroline Dill (Sean), and their son Tad; Laura Jane Walters (Korey) and their children Winnie and Grant; Parker Zopp (Sarah), and Samuel Zopp. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Nancy and Bo enjoyed vacationing in both the mountains and the beach and spent many summer hours on their pontoon boat on Beach Fork Lake. She was her children’s best cheerleader and could be a sharp critic. She and Bo expected good grades, responsible citizenship, help inside and outside their home, compassion for those in need, and appreciation of life’s gifts and blessings.
In her retirement, Nancy found fulfillment in volunteering with Team for West Virginia Children and as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA.) She enjoyed the YMCA, her bowling league, and regular card games with life-long friends. After much planning and anticipation, Nancy and her good friend, Janice, traveled cross-country by train one summer, visiting some of the most notable places in the United States.
Nancy traveled widely. She attended graduations and weddings when her health allowed. She took in a luau in Hawaii and dined in fine restaurants in Paris, but given a choice, she would be just as content with a goose liver sandwich followed by a fresh jelly roll with entertainment provided by Dateline, Jeopardy, or Murder, She Wrote. She often said the only regret she had was that she was never summoned for jury duty.
Nancy and her sisters studied ballet in their youth which led to a deep appreciation of the arts, especially live performances. She surrounded herself with beautiful and unique things. Her home was a delight for the senses and she loved to entertain guests. She was quirky and comedic, often having her audience laughing and crying at the same time. These characteristics earned her the moniker, “Fancy Nancy.”
Nancy required frequent medical attention in her final years. Her family is most thankful for Dr. Eugenia Jarrell, with whose help Nancy survived many health challenges, her in-home caregivers, those who cared for her at Wyngate, and the skill and compassion provided by the staff, nurses, and medical directors of Hospice of Huntington. They are especially grateful for the care Nancy and her family received at the Hospice House during her final hours.
Friends may call on Saturday, August 16 at the Wallace Funeral Home, 1159 Central Avenue, Barboursville, from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. A graveside service will follow at 1 p.m. at Ridgelawn Memorial Park, 5547 West Pea Ridge Road, Huntington.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Hospice of Huntington, Inc., PO Box 464 Huntington, West Virginia, 25709, or to her church of membership, Kuhn Memorial Presbyterian Church, PO Box 222, Barboursville, West Virginia, 25504.
Giving thanks to God for Nancy’s long and full life, these words of scripture bring her loved ones assurance, peace and hope:
Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8, 9.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timeformemory.com/wallace.
