Nancy Cox Lahr

Nancy Hymer Lahr (née Cox), aged 95, passed away on October 8, 2026, in Collierville, Tennessee. Born on April 11, 1931, in Edwardsville, Illinois, Nancy was a woman of remarkable intellect and resilience, cherished for her sharp wit and steadfast nature.

Nancy's educational journey began in her hometown of Edwardsville, where she was the class salutatorian in 1948. She continued her education at DePauw University, graduating in 1952, and was a proud member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority. Throughout her life, Nancy was deeply involved in her community and held various roles including a first-grade teacher, homemaker, hospital surgical secretary, office manager, and director of resident services at Asbury Towers. She also served on the Operation Life EMS Board and volunteered as a docent at the Heritage Village of Pinellas County, Florida.

Nancy's commitment to service extended to her spiritual life as a devout Presbyterian, actively participating in church communities in Greencastle, Indiana, Dunedin, Florida, and Palm Harbor, Florida. She served in multiple capacities including elder, Sunday school and Vacation Bible School teacher, and deacon.

Her personal life was enriched by her marriages to Louis J. Fontaine and later to Dr. Leland A. Lahr, whom she married in 2008 after reconnecting at their 55th class reunion. After a one year long-distance courtship, they were married in the Culver Military Academy Chapel July 20th, 2008. Leland joined her in her Safety Harbor home where she had lived since June 2002. They moved to Collierville, TN to be closer to their children in TN and AL.

Nancy was blessed with a loving family, including her sons Jeffrey David Fontaine (Susan Joan) and Gregory Paul Fontaine (Susan Beth), three grandchildren Dirk Fontaine, Lauren Fontaine-Bricknell (Jake), Carol (Fontaine) Kelly (Charles) and 2 great-grand children, Tobias and Eliza., and a niece and two nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Wayne Bresee Cox and Jessie Hymer Cox; her brother, Dr. Wayne B. Cox II; and her husbands, Louis J. Fontaine and Dr. Leland A. Lahr.

An active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and engaged in conservative politics, Nancy's legacy as a community pillar and family matriarch will be long remembered.

A service to honor Nancy's life was held on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 1 p.m. in the StoryPoint 2nd floor Theater Room, located at 691 S. Byhalia Rd., Collierville, TN. Family Funeral Care of Memphis, TN is assisting with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Pi Beta Phi Foundation Scholarships in memory of Nancy at Pi Beta Phi Foundation (https://giving.pibetaphi.org/campaign/798168/donate).