Nancy Sweet Byland

Nancy Sweet Byland, 83, of Williamsburg, Virginia, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by loved ones on Jan. 11, 2021. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Frank Byland Sr., her mother, Stella Pray Sweet, and her father, Lloyd Lionel Sweet. Nancy was born to Stella and Lloyd Sweet on Aug. 2, 1937. She married the love of her life, Ronald Frank Byland Sr., on April 16, 1958, and they had three children, Chris, Beth and Ronald Jr. She worked as a secretary at a newspaper, The Middletown Press, and the school district, Regional District 13. Later she became a realtor for Frissell Realty. Nancy loved spending time surrounded by family, often cooking and baking in the kitchen for loved ones. She cherished her weekly prayer group and time spent with her Bible study group, the God Girls. She spent many summers traveling to the beach and making memories with her children and grandchildren. A caring mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Nancy is survived by her sisters, Rosemary Sweet Thoburn and Janet Sweet Pedersen; daughters, Chris Ann Byland and Beth Byland Stiles; son, Ronald Frank Byland, Jr.; daughter-in-law, Stephanie Waters Byland; grandsons, Adam Martin Stiles, Drew Christopher Byland and Jeffrey Thomas Byland; and granddaughter, Katherine Elaine Byland. Nancy taught her children and grandchildren that the best way to walk through life is with empathy and kindness. Nancy’s true altruism benefited many – she made lifelong friends through volunteering, always lent a sympathetic ear, offered advice and opened the doors to her home when people were in need. She had an extraordinary ability to sense when someone needed help, and she acted on it. A life well lived. In lieu of flowers, please continue spreading Nancy’s kindness and compassion through acts of service to those around you: donate to a food bank or your favorite charity, volunteer at an animal shelter, cook an extra portion and share it, call a lonely senior or spend time with someone who needs company. May her legacy live on through those that she loved. Nelson Funeral Home in Williamsburg, Virginia, will be handling arrangements. No service will be held at this time. A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held at the convenience of the family.