Nancy Clark found joy in her work, family, and church
Published 2:16 pm Tuesday, June 16, 2020
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BY ROZELLA HARDIN
Editorial Director
Nancy Clark didn’t believe much in luck, but she did believe in hard work.
Every day she began her day with one goal in mind: to take care of her family, to do the work at hand, and to be the best Christian she could be, and not necessarily in that order.
Nancy died June 2 after spending the past three years at Hermitage Health and Rehab Center of Elizabethton.
One of six children, Nancy was the daughter of the late Wayne and Kate Smith. She was married 45 years to her husband, Roger, who preceded her in death. Nancy and Roger were the parents of four children — two boys and two girls.
The couple had a farm in the Powder Branch Community, where they raised cattle, grew a large garden, had hayfields, which they harvested, and for years raised tobacco plants for local farmers.
“My mom took care of the tobacco beds and overseen the pulling of the plants. She did this for over 30 years. She loved both her pullers and tobacco plant customers. Once she got a customer, she usually kept them,” said her son, Wayne.
“Mom could do just about anything — she could drive a tractor, helped with the cattle, and checked on new calves every day. In addition to the farm work, she raised a large garden and did a lot of canning and freezing vegetables that she grew,” Wayne shared.
But that wasn’t all that Nancy did. She enjoyed tole painting, quilting, sewing, and enjoyed making sculpture dolls and jointed-bears. Many of these items she sold at craft shows. “She always had three or four quilts in the making. She also enjoyed crocheting. She did these things after working all day on the farm,” said her son.
“Mom always had food to share with those in need. If she didn’t have it in the garden, she had it in the freezer or in a canning jar. We ate a lot of vegetables when we were growing up. We had fresh eggs and raw milk,” said Wayne
Nancy did other work, too. She worked short stints at Pic N’ Pay Shoes and during the holidays often worked at Watson’s.
“Mom could do just about anything. If she didn’t know how to do something, she learned to do it,” said Wayne, who noted that probably one of her favorite things to cook was soup beans and corn bread. “She was a good cook,” he added.
Nancy enjoyed her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had eight grandchildren and several great-grandchildren, and especially enjoyed having them visit on holidays. “When they were little, she babysit them every chance she got,” Wayne said.
In addition to all her farm work, crafts, and house chores, Nancy also found time for church. “She was devoted to her church at Immanuel Baptist and for over 20 years was the church’s nursery coordinator. She enjoyed working with the children. She could also play the piano,” said Wayne.
“Mom really loved all children, and being with them,” Wayne added.
“She was a good mother and a good wife to my dad. I would have to say she was good at all that she did, and she wasn’t afraid to tackle anything. She gave it all that she had, and she enjoyed her work whether it be outside pulling tobacco plants, raising a garden, cooking a meal, doing crafts, or babysitting the grandkids. She found joy in it,” Wayne said.
Nancy Clark was one of those people who worked hard, and found fulfillment in it.
