"Aunt Nancy" Has Died of Pneumonia, Feb. 6, 1924

Nancy Bryan Spencer—Daughter of Late John Q.A. Bryan

From the Wilkes Patriot

Nancy Bryan Spicer, daughter of Gen. John Q.A. Bryan, was born Dec. 31, 1872. She married John H. Spicer December 30th, 1895. Her husband died about eight years later, leaving her with three children who are still living: Clay, Bessie and Mattie Jane.

“Aunt Nancy,” as she was popularly called, had been ill with pneumonia and was thought to be improving, when she suddenly relapsed on Monday night, Jan. 21, and died early the next morning. Relatives at a distance were notified of her death; and in spite of the severe weather, her son Clay arrived here from Pennsylvania in time for the burial Thursday.

Funeral services were held at the home of her brother, T.S. Bryan, conducted by her pastor the Rev. George Sloan. In spite of the rain and hail, the house was crowded with sorrowing loved ones, a number of them coming from a distance to pay their respects to one who had brought sunshine into their lives.

The interment was made in the family graveyard, beside the grave of her distinguished father. Under a green carpet of myrtle and beneath venerable cedars, her body was laid to await the Resurrection Day. The grave was covered with beautiful wreaths prepared by the loving hands of her friends.

“Aunt Nancy” is mourned not only by her children and grandchildren, but by her aged mother and sister, two brothers, and a host of other relatives and friends. Her sister, Phoebe Bryan Rhudy, lives in Elk Creek, Va. One brother, Lewis, lives in Colorado, the other T. Sherman is one of Wilkes County’s foremost citizens. Two sisters, America and Floss, and one brother, Johnny Grant, preceded her to the great beyond.

We shall miss Aunt Nancy. She was one of the sunniest characters we have ever known. She brought cheer to many a sad heart and was always ready to visit and nurse the sick. She inherited her father’s wit and could make you laugh in spite of yourself; then while you were still laughing she would preach you a sentence sermon. She carried through life the philosophy that God’s children ought to be happy. She was a Methodist from childhood, and was loyal and faithful until death.

--M.F. Bumgarner

From page 4 of the North Wilkesboro Hustler, Wednesday, Feb. 6, 1924. The headline had Aunt Nancy’s last name as Spencer but the article had it as Spicer.