Nancy Nolan Stoddard

Nancy Nolan Stoddard, born June 26, 1955, in Macon, Georgia, passed away on January 30, 2026. She was the beloved daughter of Quinces Robertus (QR) Nolan and Helen Walker Nolan, and their love of nature, flowers, and beauty shaped Nancy into the graceful, elegant, and artistic woman she became. As a child, she spent countless hours exploring the creeks and woods of Middle and South Georgia, searching for arrowheads with her father and brothers. Nature became her refuge, her curiosity and her joy, while the quiet magic of the natural world would stay with her throughout her life.

Nancy met the love of her life, Dale Stoddard, while attending Georgia Southern University. A blind date sparked an immediate and enduring connection which was the genesis of a lifelong partnership filled with devotion, laughter, and adventure. They were married on June 18, 1977, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in a beautiful ceremony planned by Helen, her mother; a tradition that Nancy herself would emulate when planning her daughter Maggie’s May 17, 2014, wedding to Jamie Tarleton on St. Simons.

Nancy collected lifelong friends everywhere she went. As Dale’s career moved the family from Cincinnati, to Hoston, to Macon, then finally to their forever home on St. Simons Island in August 1994, Nancy had a rare gift for making people feel welcomed, seen, and instantly loved.

She devoted herself to raising their three children - Tal, Maggie, and Hayes - pouring her whole heart into shaping and influencing their characters, values, confidence and instilling in them a true sense of family and community. Once all three children were teenagers, she returned to her creative passions and spent 25 years with John Shackelford Architects where her natural eye and talent melded well with John Shackleford’s architecture and artistic use of space. Building on this successful partnership, she was the inspiration and creative force behind Shackelford Shoes, where her refined taste and natural eye for design further established the boutique as beloved in the St. Simons Island community and beyond.

Nancy’s commitment to St. Simons ran deep. She served faithfully at Christ Church Frederica as a loyal member of the Altar Guild, creating beautiful floral arrangements for the altar, and she also served on the Vestry. Additionally, she was a much-loved club member and board member of the St. Simons Cotillion, where she poured her grace, warmth, and love of tradition into the next generation.

She found tremendous joy in simple, beautiful moments; painting, hunting for shark teeth on Little Cumberland, and sharing long porch laughs with friends over a glass of wine. Those who spent time in her company know how freely she laughed and how deeply she cherished those moments with those around her.

Her unmistakable Macon accent, gracious warmth, and magnetic presence made every room brighter. If described in words, she would be classy, elegant, beautiful… and fun.

More than anything, Nancy cherished her role as “Weezie” to her grandchildren, Walker, James, and Lock Tarleton. They were the pride of her life, her greatest joy, and the source of endless love.

Nancy is survived by her loving husband, Dale Lockwood Stoddard; her children Clark Talbot (Tal) Stoddard, Margaret (Maggie) Walker Stoddard Tarleton and her husband Jamie Tarleton, and Elizabeth Hayes Stoddard; her grandchildren Walker, James, and Lock Tarleton; her brothers, Quinces (Quin) Robertus Nolan and his wife Kathy Nolan, and William Walker Nolan and his wife Laurie Nolan; and her cherished nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Helen Walker Nolan and Quinces Robertus Nolan.

Nancy leaves behind a legacy of love, warmth, generosity, and an unmistakable aura that made every room brighter. She will be dearly missed.

SERVICES: A private ceremony will be held on February 28th, followed by a celebration of life at 1:00 PM at: Village Creek Landing, 526 S Harrington Rd. St. Simons Island, GA 31522

DONATIONS: As Nancy so loved St Simons Island, should you desire to make a donation in Nancy’s honor, please direct it to St Simons Island Land Trust in memory of Nancy Stoddard.