Nancy F. Byard passed away Monday, November 23, 2020 at Springmoor Life Care Community. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri on October 4, 1929 to the late Harold and Francine Fechner. She was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Rod Byard, and sister, Susan Jackson.
Nancy contracted polio as a young mother in 1954. She fought its effects for 66 years. She never let her disability stop her. When walking became too hard she obtained a motorized scooter and kept going. She was one “tough cookie”!
Nancy grew up in the church and was a Baptist most of her life. She knew her Bible inside and out and used that in teaching Children’s Sunday School for many years. She was also active in the music ministries of her church, singing in the choir and playing the piano. She was especially honored to help First Baptist Church in Winston-Salem start a Downtown Ministry where she worked with underprivileged girls. After moving to Wake Forest, she worked with an organization that was the precursor of Tri-Area Ministry.
Nancy spent over 30 years teaching piano to children. She was a prolific reader who tried to read every book in the library. Christmas was always filled with cookies and fruitcake and Party Mix was her specialty. She loved watching sports especially her Durham Bulls and Atlanta Braves!
Social justice was very important to Nancy. She was an activist for equal rights who supported many organizations that fought for what was right.
Surviving Nancy are three daughters, Becky Whitwam and husband Bob of Oak Island, NC, Jennifer Talley and husband Bob of Wake Forest, NC and Amy Huneycutt and husband David of Houston, TX. She was so proud of her seven grandchildren Katie, Anna, Chris, John, Mary Catherine, Basil and Helen. In the last years of her life she enjoyed her great grandchildren Hunter, Claire, Nora and Piper.
A graveside service for immediate family will be held.
Memorial contributions may be made to her church, Umstead Park United Church of Christ, 8208 Brownleigh Drive, Raleigh, NC 27617 or the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America, 300 Hawthorne Lane, Suite 205, Charlotte, NC 28204
