Clara S. NANCE

Thomas G. Nance
April 17, 1852-May 28, 1921

Pioneer Preacher

Clara S. Scott Nance
December 2, 1858-July 22, 1940

*Photo, courtesy of Mary (Coggin) Russell

*Obituary Thomas G. Nance

Rev. T.G. Nance Passes to Reward at Ripe Old Age

With the dawning of the new day, Friday, May 28th, the dawn eternal broke upon the life of Rev. T.G. Nance, pioneer preacher and man of God, known and loved throughout west Texas. The end came peacefully, after long months of suffering, all the members of his family being at his bedside.

Rev. Nance had been a minister of the Christian Church for more than forty years. Born in Winchester, Tenn. April 17, 1852 his boyhood was spent in that state and in Alabama, to which he moved when seventeen years of age. He united first with the Bapatist Church, later adopting the faith of the Disciples and at twenty-three beginning his ministry.

Rev. Nance's work was distinctly missionary. He went into the country district and in these sparsely settled communities gathered the few families together in school houses or private homes - many of them dugouts - preached and organized churches. In 1889, he organized the first Christian Church of Amarillo with but two members, one of whom, Mrs. Wetzel, is still a member of that church and attended the funeral services Sunday. In 1891, he was married to Miss Clara Scott, of New Albany, Indiana. Shortly after, he came with his wife to Plainview, where his work covered the entre [sic] area that could be reached by horse and buggy from this center. Every struggling church, every needy community shared the fruits of his labor - often purely a labor of love given without thought of compensation and at the cost of hardship and privation to himself. He was the originator of the old-time camp meeting in this section of the country that had such far-reaching influence in strengthening the cause of christianity all over the Panhandle.

He moved with his family to Hereford thirteen years ago and since that time has been able to do but little regular preaching, although until within the last year he has constantly been called upon to fill vacant pulpits, to conduct funerals and to otherwise give his services for the cause he loved so well.

A simple funeral services was conducted at the Christian Church Sunday afternoon and was largely attended. The beautiful church auditorium which had been such a joy to him in life was sweet with the breath of flowers massed about the pulpit and covering the casket. The body lay where the softened light, streaming through the stained glass memorial window which pictured the parable of the sower and which was dedicated to him years ago, told the story of his earthly work.

Rev. Wooten, of Midland, read the Bible lesson and offered prayer. The church choir sang two of the old church hymns, and Earl Gough sang "Crossing the Bar." Then Judge L. Gough, a life long friend, read a brief obituary and spoke feelingly of the consecrated life of service just closed. In illustration of the influence of such a life, he presented J.E. Hill, who was converted under the ministry of Rev. Nance and who is still emulating his work and teaching. Mr. Hill spoke briefly and simply of his association with the deceased and of the untold good accomplished by his work. From the audience Captain W.G. Ross added a word of eulogy, after which the large audience passed before the casket and the procession to the cemetery was formed. At the grave, the choir sang "When my Life Work is Ended," and the service closed with prayer by Rev. Wooten.

Rev. Nance leaves a widow and three children. Mrs. C.H. Dyar and Walter Nance, of Hereford, and Mrs. Harry Johnson, of Amarillo.

Out-of-town people who attended the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Russell, Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Russell, Mrs. Wetzel, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Curry, Mrs. Henry Tandy, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Johnson and Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Johnson, all of Amarillo; Mrs. Nance, of Plainview; Judge Kinder, Judge Russell, Mrs. Leftwich, Mrs. Frances and Mrs. Kiker, of Farwell.

(Published in The Hereford Brand, 21st Year, No. 33, Hereford, Deaf Smith County, Texas, May 31, 1921, Page 5)
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Card of Thanks.

To all of our friends and neighbors who were so kind and thoughtful during the recent illness and death of our husband and father, we wish to express our heartfelt gratitude.

Mrs. Thom. G. Nance
Mr. and Mrs. C.H. Dyar
Mr. and Mrs. Harry L. Johnson
Walter E. Nance.

(Published in The Hereford Brand, 21st Year, No. 33, Hereford, Deaf Smith County, Texas, May 31, 1921, Page 5)
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Indiana, U.S., Marriages, 1810-2001
Name: Thomas G Nance
Gender: Male
Event Type: Marriage Registration (Marriage)
Marriage Date: 15 Sep 1891
Marriage Place: New Albany, Indiana, United States
Spouse: Clara A Scott
Page: 46
FHL Film Number: 001411886

Texas, U.S., Death Index, 1903-2000
Name: Rev. T. G. Nance
Death Date: 28 May 1921
Death County: Deaf Smith
Certificate: 13327

Texas, U.S., Death Certificates, 1903-1982
Name: Rev T G Nance
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 69
Birth Date: 17 Apr 1852
Birth Place: Tennessee
Residence: Plainnew, Texas, USA
Death Date: 28 May 1921
Death Place: Hereford, Deaf Smith, Texas, USA

*Obituary Clara S. Scott Nance

Mrs. Thos. G. Nance, Wife Of Pioneer Preacher, Passes Away

Funeral services were held Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock for Mrs. Thos. G. Nance, 81 years old, who died early Monday morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. C.H. Dyar. Services were held at the First Christian Church with Rev. H.M. Redford in charge.

Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. C.H. Dyar of Hereford, and Mrs. H.L. Johnson of Amarillo; one son, W.E. Nance of Clovis, N.M., and four grandchildren.

Mrs. Nance was preceded in death by her husband, who was one of the pioneer Christian preachers in the Panhandle. Mr. and Mrs. Nance came to the plains in 1891 and settled at Plainview. Previous to that time Mr. Nance had lived at Plainview and was serving the Christian Church in Amarillo as minister, traveling to his appointments by stage or freight wagon. Mrs. Nance was his earnest helper (and coworker) in all his religious work, the Kingdom of God and His love for His children being of vital concern to her all her life long. She was a very quiet, retiring personality.

Mrs. Nance was born December 2, 1898 in Indiana, coming to Texas in 1891 and to Deaf Smith county in 1908.

Pallbearers were A. Petersen, Harry Seed, Ellis Coombes, F.H. Oberthier, F.M. Kester, and Bob Wilson.

Interment was in West Park Cemetery.

Out-of-town persons here to attend Mrs. Nance's funeral included Mrs. Mary Lane, Mrs. E.T. Miller and daughter, R.H. Norton, Mrs. Henry Wilson, Mrs. Hazel Lewis, Mrs. Si Booser, all of Amarillo, and Mrs. J.H. Leftwitch of Farwell.

(Published in The Hereford Branch, 40th Year-Number 30, Hereford, Texas, Thursday, July 25, 1940, Page 1,10)
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Indiana, U.S., Marriages, 1810-2001
Name: Clara A Scott
Gender: Female
Event Type: Marriage Registration (Marriage)
Marriage Date: 15 Sep 1891
Marriage Place: New Albany, Indiana, United States
Spouse: Thomas G Nance
Page: 46
FHL Film Number: 001411886

Texas, U.S., Death Index, 1903-2000
Name: Clara S. Nance
Death Date: 22 Jul 1940
Death County: Deaf Smith
Certificate: 32156

Texas, U.S., Death Certificates, 1903-1982
Name: Clara S Nance [Clara S Scott]
Gender: Female
Race: White
Age: 81
Birth Date: 2 Dec 1858
Birth Place: Indiana
Residence: Hereford, Deaf Smith, Texas, USA
Death Date: 22 Jul 1940
Death Place: Hereford, Deaf Smith, Texas, USA
Father: Robert Scott
Mother: Sarah Coffman

Contributed on 7/22/22 by neldapat
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