NANCY CATHERINE SHELBY THURMOND, age 87, died Monday, May 18, 2020 at her residence in Charleston.

Nancy was born on October 6, 1932 in Charleston to George Ulysses and Waneta Martin Shelby. A graduate of Charleston High School, she attended Belmont University in Nashville, TN where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music.

On December 31, 1954 she married James Moore Thurmond and they moved to Willmington, NC where he was stationed with the US Marine Corps. Following his discharge, they returned to Charleston and started farming. Through his international agriculture interests, they farmed in Brazil, and lived in Geneva and Founex, Switzerland before returning to farming in Southeast Missouri.

Nancy was a member of the Charleston United Methodist Church, Chapter CV P.E.O, the D.A.R. and the Molly French Garden Club.

She made their second home in Naples, FL and enjoyed involvement in both communities for a number of years. Nancy loved music and sports throughout her life. She enjoyed memberships in the Memphis (TN) Racquet Club, Charleston Country Club and in Naples, at the Eagle Creek Country Club. She was well known for her skill in tennis and golf and willing shared her knowledge with young athletes to inspire and encourage them in the development of their skill.

She is survived by two children, Margaret Thurmond and Thomas Barton (Bart) Weiss of Tampa, FL and James Moore and Nichole Anderson Thurmond Jr, of Charleston; three grandchildren, Thomas Barton Weiss II, James Moore Thurmond III, and Sarah Shelby Thurmond.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and one brother, George U. Shelby Jr., and three sisters, Evelyn Shelby Lowrey, Frances Shelby Brewer, and Mayme Shelby Dernoncourt.

Graveside Services will be conducted at 10:30 am  on Friday, May 22, 2020 at the IOOF Cemetery under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston. Rev. J. Robert Webster, pastor of the United Methodist Church, will officiate.

Pallbearers will be James Moore Thurmond Jr., Thomas Barton Weiss, James Moore Thurmond III, Thomas Barton Weiss II, Woody Simmons, and Craig Sutton.

Memorial Contributions may be given to the United Methodist Church, PO Box 351, Charleston, MO 63834; or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com