Nancy Wall

Nancy C. Wall, 97, was born September 3, 1927, the only child of Charles Stanley Chambers and Jean Amanda Esden in Tucson, Arizona. Nancy passed peacefully in the tender care of Hospice El Paso Compassionate Care Center on March 11, 2025.

Her parents being career Southern Pacific Railroad employees, Nancy experienced an unconventional Depression era childhood, being raised in remote Arizona desert railroad communities. Undoubtedly, this challenging environment fostered Nancy’s lifelong adventuresome spirit, independence, and resilience.

Nancy graduated from Tucson High School Class of 1945 as an honor student. She took National Scholastic Magazine’s first place honors in the literary essay titled “Bullets Without Ballads”; discussing poetry in wartime. Following high school graduation, she continued her studies attending Arizona State College, now Arizona State University, in Tempe, Arizona. Nancy graduated from the College of Education, Class of 1950, with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. Fifty years later, she participated as an ASU Golden Grad by walking with her fellow alumni in the ASU 2000 Commencement Ceremonies.

Post graduation, Nancy married James A. Wall on December 24, 1950. The newly married couple resided in Phoenix and Mesa, Arizona both embarking on their respective careers; Nancy with Mesa Public Schools, and James with the Mountain Bell Sales Department. In 1952 they welcomed their daughter Devon. In 1957, James received a promotion to Sales Manager of The Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company moving the family to El Paso, Texas. Sadly, after a brief illness, James passed away in an untimely death on December 2, 1960.

Nancy continued residing in El Paso, pursuing her Elementary Education career with EPISD. In her forty-one years of service her advocacy was an inspiration to generations of children, teachers, and parents. In 1977-78 the school community honored her as Wainwright School’s Teacher of the Year. After retirement in May, 1991, she became a lifetime member of The El Paso Retired Teachers Association continuing her service as a dedicated EPRTA Board Member. She was twice commended by EPRTA, receiving a 2000-01 President’s Award and then was a recipient of the 2016 Twenty-First Century Award for Outstanding Service.

Nancy’s adventuresome spirit and insatiable curiosity transformed her into a consummate world traveler. She took great pride in sharing that she had “walked on every continent” and always enjoyed recounting a travel tale. Nancy leaves behind her devoted daughter, Devon, a niece and three nephews by marriage, and many faithful family friends. Devon wishes to extend her heartfelt thanks and appreciation for those who cared for Nancy and provided family emotional support during her final years. These include: Stan and Kathleen Harmon, Donna Gibson and Nancy Carpenter, Richard and Janet Dand, Mark Moreland, Consuelo Guerrero, Daisy, Susanne, and Rose Jane of Comfort Keepers, and the Hospice El Paso Compassionate Care Nursing staff. Nancy’s legacy of love, kindness, and indomitable spirit will forever remain a cherished memory in the hearts she touched. If you wish to make a memorial donation for Nancy, please consider the charity MdDS/Balance Disorder Foundation.