Nancy M. Oliphant

Nancy Jean (Millican) Oliphant, 79, of Houston, Texas, passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family, to join her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday December 18, 2024. She was born in Corpus Christi, Texas on May 17, 1945 to George Francis and Edwina Lois (O'Neal) Millican. Nancy was the youngest of four daughters.

While in junior high school, Nancy went to Cuddihy swimming pool with her sister Sue and Sue's boyfriend Butch Brown. Butch invited his friend John Oliphant to join them. In September 1961, John and Nancy were married and celebrated their 63rd anniversary this last September.

Nancy's greatest joy in life was being a wife and mother. She and John had three children; John Jr., James and Sarah. Family was always important to Nancy. Even when the family moved all over the country, she made sure we all stayed connected. We would get together for holidays or in the summer, no matter the distance.

Nancy was very involved in activities with her children. She was a room mother at school, den mother for cub scouts, brownie leader as well as chauffeur to baseball and ballet. She always tried to expose her kids to different activities; going to the museum, eating different foods (like her father did for her), going to the beach, stained glass projects.

Nancy was a very giving person. She always welcomed opportunities to volunteer. She answered phones at the hospital and was a teacher's aide. As a deacon of her church, she would visit people in the hospital. She would also take food to their home if they were unable to cook. More importantly, she was a good listener for people who needed someone to talk to in hard times.

Nancy was an avid reader. She enjoyed many different topics, but particularly she liked reading murder mysteries, cookbooks and humorous books. Living in Houston afforded her the opportunity to attend book signings where she met many of her favorite authors. After finishing a book, she would gift it to a friend or family member to share her love of reading.

Nancy was also an eclectic collector of furniture, glasswork, china and other doodads. She would attend auctions and shop at consignment stores keeping an eye out for "good bargains". She was particularly excited when she heard about a walnut dining room table while living in Lexington, Kentucky. She drove on dirt roads to a barn out in the middle of nowhere to retrieve it. She then sanded it, cleaned it and then painstakingly put layer upon layer of Tung oil until the table was brought back to its original glory. She was also able to furnish and decorate John's office through all the contacts she maintained.

Nancy was a prolific gardener. She was not afraid to grow different types of plants each year. Plants that she could cook with. Plants that had a wonderful aroma. Plants that were beautiful to the eye. Watering the grass constantly to keep it lush. At the end of the day, she could sit outside in her rocking chair and have a sense of peace and calm.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, George and Lois Millican; her son, John Jr.; and three beloved sisters, Margaret Paulson, Sandra Stevenson and Sue Brown.

Nancy is survived by her husband, John Oliphant; son James Oliphant; daughter Sarah Suttles and her husband David; grandchildren Catherine, Thomas, David and Harvey; great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was affectionately called Nana by her grandchildren.

A private interment will take place on January 7, 2025 at Houston National Cemetery. A memorial celebration of life will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.