Nancy Haslam Shuford

Nancy Margaret Haslam was born in Providence, Rhode Island on May 1,1924 to Charles and Florence Haslam. The youngest of four daughters, Nancy recalled happy memories of summering at her family’s house at Plum Beach. She was athletic, worked as a lifeguard at the beach, and swam competitively. Nancy graduated from the University of Rhode Island, majoring in chemistry. She was a member of Chi Omega sorority.

After college, Nancy accepted a job as a research technician, working for Dr. Manson Meads at Harvard University. When Dr. Meads took a position at Bowman Grey hospital in Winston Salem in 1947, Nancy moved to North Carolina to continue their research, co-authoring several medical articles.

A colleague, Dr. Ernie Yount, introduced her to his brother-in-law, a young radiologist, Henry Shuford.

Nancy and Henry married April 17, 1950. The young couple moved a few times following Henry’s medical career and their family grew along the way. First to St. Louis, Missouri bringing David and Louise, then to Durham, North Carolina where Billy was born, and ultimately to Atlanta when Henry took a position on the faculty at Emory University, where they had two more boys, Jamie and Robert.

Nancy inherited her father’s love of gardening. She maintained a beautiful garden at their home on West Paces Ferry and was a member of the Chatta-Ridge Garden Club. Nancy and Henry were members of the Cathedral of St. Philip. They joined Cherokee Town and Country Club where they played tennis. A highlight was winning the Mother/Son Tennis Championship with son Jamie. Nancy played ALTA and made many good friends. Nancy and Henry enjoyed traveling, visiting Russia, Israel, Antarctica, France among other fun trips.

Nancy loved a good competition. She tirelessly took her children to sporting practices and events, cheering them on through wrestling matches, horse shows, football games, soccer games, and many, many tennis matches. Nancy attained the rank of Lifetime Master in bridge, a game that she and Henry enjoyed. She taught her grandchildren how to swim and win at Beer Pong. She loved her 5:00 beer!

Thirty four years ago Nancy began a tradition that had the effect of building lifelong relationships among four generations of family. Remembering summers at Plum Beach, Nancy decided that the growing family needed a beach trip. Each year since, the entire family has gathered at DeBordieu for a week together. It is one of her greatest gifts and legacies to the family.

When asked what were the most important achievements, her response was her marriage and her five children. Nancy’s husband of 69 years, Henry, died last year. Her loss immense.

Nancy is survived by five children, David Shuford and his wife Helena of Atlanta, Louise Shuford Rak and her husband Joseph of Dennis, Massachusetts, William (Billy) Shuford and his wife Leslie, of Atlanta, James (Jamie) Shuford and wife Emily of Mountain Brook, Alabama, Robert Shuford and his wife Margot of Atlanta, ten grandchildren, Parmelee Shuford Miller, Lindsay Shuford Labrot, Emily Rak Nichols, David Shuford, Jr, Elijah Rak, Lia Shuford, Katie Shuford, William Shuford, Jake Shuford, Anna Shuford, two step-grandchildren, Kate Amberson and Lizzie Amberson, ten great-grandchildren, and one pre-deceased great-grandson.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Lenbrook, Live Oak Caregivers, and Heartland Hospice for all of their loving care. A memorial service will be held at the Cathedral of St. Philip at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to a charity or church of their choice.