Nancy Ann (Gettle) Morrison, passed away on April 5, 2026 at the age of 94.
She was born on October 19, 1931, to Abner Payer and Virginia Louise (Titus) Gettle of Stuttgart, Arkansas. Nancy graduated from Stuttgart High School in 1949 and attended Arkansas State Teachers College (UCA – Conway) before finishing her bachelor’s degree at Peabody College (Vanderbilt University) in 1954. Nancy taught typing for West Side Jr. High School in Little Rock, Arkansas for the 1954-1955 school year, before returning to the private workforce with the Riceland Cooperative Rural Electrification Administration in Stuttgart Arkansas.
Nancy met her late husband, Kenneth, through mutual friends and married on December 21, 1957. Ken’s Air Force assignments took the newlyweds to multiple assignment locations – California to Indiana to Massachusetts to Panama to Kansas to Hawaii and back to Kansas (Wichita). Through their travels they welcomed 3 children that would complete their family. Nancy was actively involved in her children’s clubs and organizations. She was Den Mother for her sons’ Cub Scouts and supported her daughter’s involvement in Girl Scouts and Job’s Daughters. She served as the pianist for many Sunday School classes from the age of 10 years and as the church organist at all the Base Chapels. She was a church accompanist for an astounding 70+ years.
Nancy started her devoted service in women’s ministries in 1962. She held the office of President and other positions in the Protestant Women of the Chapel (PWOC) at all their assigned Air Force bases. She attended Church Women United in Wichita and Church Women United in Honolulu in the 1970s. Nancy was part of Stephen’s Ministries while a member of Broadway Christian Church and served for 5 years as a Membership Chair and on other committees such as Evangelism, Outreach, Christian Education, van driver and count money. She was President of Christian Women’s Fellowship from 1987-89 and 1993-95, serving as secretary, treasurer, and publicity chair in other terms. She became actively involved in Church Women United in Wichita with the Mission Institute in 1995. She served as Ecumenical Action Chair from 1998-99 and as secretary from 1999-2003. She played piano for many of the celebration programs and area meetings. Church Women United in Wichita presented Nancy the 2002 Valiant Woman award.
Nancy became a member of Hillside Christian Church on June 15, 2008. She served as President of Church Women United from 2008-2011. She dedicated all her talents to Disciples Women, Kansas Disciples Women and Esther Circle. Additionally, she played piano for the Christopher Sunday School class, socialized with the Tri C’s, loved the camaraderie in the Women’s Sewing Group and volunteered in the church office.
Nancy was a proficient seamstress, gifted at crochet and needlepoint, a fantastic cook, and in her 80’s learned to quilt. She was a loving and amazing Grandmother, “Nana”, to four Grandchildren and four Great-Grandchildren.
Nancy is proceeded in death by her late husband of 66 years, Kenneth H. Morrison, an infant daughter, and son, Dana Kent Morrison age 10. Her life is celebrated by son, Daryl Kevin Morrison (Kelly) of Illinois, daughter Debra Kay (Morrison) Gilstrap (Jay) of California, four grandchildren, Shelly Morrison (Morgan Cole-Paddon) of Ireland, Kimberly Shaddrick (Daniel) of Illinois, Jared Gilstrap (Ariana Hefner) of Iowa, and Derek Gilstrap (Aubrey) of Arizona and four Great-Grandchildren Beckett Rollman, Bryce Shaddrick, Claire Shaddrick, and Aedan Cole-Paddon.
Funeral Service for Nancy will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, April 10, 2026, at Hillside Christian Church, 8330 E. Douglas Avenue, Wichita, Kansas 67206 with visitation one hour prior or can be viewed online (https://www.youtube.com/@hillsidechristianchurchwic8376). Committal will immediately follow at Lakeview Mausoleum, 12100 E. 13th Street N., Wichita, Kansas 67206.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
