Mrs. Nancy Hoover Root Hanes passed away peacefully on June 13, 2021. She passed at 92 years old in the same way she did everything: exuding a quiet grace, filled with love, and exactly on her own timeline. Nancy was born to Mary Alice Hoover Root and John Calvin Root on November 15, 1928. She grew up in Raleigh, NC and was a graduate of Broughton High School. She loved to tell stories of her youth and found it a point of pride that her childhood home was just down the street from the capitol building. After graduating high school, Nancy attended Wake Forest University for two years, but ultimately became a Tarheel and graduated from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1949 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education.
Nancy started her career in education in Efland, NC as a third grade teacher. It was here that she showed an unparalleled commitment to her students when she single-handedly choreographed and led a production of The Nutcracker. She taught dances, led practices, and hand-sewed more than 30 costumes all to give her class a beautiful experience they may not have had otherwise. After teaching in Efland, Nancy subsequently taught elementary school in Castro Valley, CA and Winston-Salem, NC. In 1962, Nancy moved to Charlotte, NC and taught pre-school at both Myers Park Presbyterian Church and Myers Park Methodist Church. Nancy also served as a teacher assistant at Glenwood Elementary in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and later at Eastover Elementary in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools system. Her love of children, passion for teaching, and true empathy for all was evident everywhere she went.
Nancy was also a devout Christian. She was a member of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church for many years, where she again tapped her educational background and was a Sunday school teacher. Anyone who knew Nancy knew she was always humming a tune or singing a melody, and this came to the forefront as a member of the St. Martin’s choir. Many family members know at least one song that they always associate with her and remember her singing.
Nancy married Robert Carpenter Hanes (Bob) in 1951. They were married for 68 years, until Bob’s passing in March of 2020. They shared a beautiful lifelong romance, committed partnership, and were one of the best examples of true love in a marriage that has ever existed. Their support of and commitment to one another has always been an inspiration to many.
Nancy is survived by her daughter Nancy Hanes Cousar, her son-in-law Mark R. Cousar, and two granddaughters, Jennifer and Elizabeth. Nancy was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Her unconditional love and devotion to her family was heartwarming and inspiring. Nancy’s warm, outgoing and positive spirit touched all who knew her.
A joint memorial service and celebration of life will be held at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in honor of both Nancy and Bob Hanes on Saturday, September 11, 2021.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her honor to the St. Martin’s Foundation, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 1510 East Seventh Street, Charlotte, NC 28204.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.5