RODANTHE — Nancy “Nanny” DickensHoward, 89, died on Friday, May 6, 2016 at her home. She was born onJune 24, 1926 at her home in Wilson, N.C. to the late Albert OscarDickens and Catherine Tipton Dickens.
Nancy is survived by her two sisters, Virginia Cannon (James) and PollyWurthmann, both of Charleston, S.C. She also was blessed with ahalf-sister, the late Mary Reynolds, and a half-brother, the late JackReynolds, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces andnephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Claude Howard,in August of 2009.
Nancy graduated from Charles L. Coon High School in 1942 and then from MeredithCollege in 1946. She would move to Wilmington to teach for a fewyears before moving back to Wilson to become a principal just outsideof Lucama, where she met her husband, Claude.
Nancy married Claude on June 3, 1961 and they moved to Maryland toteach public school. The next decade would be spent cultivating aloving marriage and a love to fish. This would lead the couple topurchase a plot of land and build their home in the Outer Banks ofNorth Carolina in 1971.
Nearly the next five decades of their lives would be marked by lovinghospitality. The two would play an integral part in thedevelopment of a volunteer fire/rescue service for ChicamacomicoBanks. The Howard’s kitchen would be the meeting place for manyfire and rescue workers, family, and friends throughout the upcomingyears. Nancy would always try to make sure no one went awayhungry.
Claude and Nancy Howard spent much of their lives serving theircommunity in order that their service may direct others to JesusChrist. Let their selfless service be a reminder to us all thatour lives are not our own: Jesus paid for them on the cross.
A memorial service will be held for Nancy on Saturday May 14, 2016 at11 a.m. at Fair Haven United Methodist Church in Rodanthe and will bepresided over by the Rev. Jim Bliss. In lieu of flowers, the family isrequesting that contributions be made to Chicamacomico Banks VolunteerFire Department. P.O. Box 125, Rodanthe, NC 27968
Twiford Funeral Home, Hatteras is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at www.twifordfh.com.
