Nancy Johnson Douglass, a longtime resident of Gulf Breeze, Florida, passed away at the age of 90 on Friday, May 31, 2024 in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, where she had moved to be near family. Nancy was born on January 13, 1934 in Birmingham, Alabama, and was raised there, attending Minnie Holman School and graduating from Woodlawn High School in 1952. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in education from Auburn University and, later, a master’s degree from Troy University. At Auburn and after, Nancy was a devoted member of Delta Zeta sorority.
Nancy began her teaching career in the Birmingham City Schools, teaching at McElwain Elementary with her future mother-in-law, Kate Douglass. In 1957, she married the love of her life, James Alexander (Jim) Douglass, and they remained married until his passing in 2017. In 1966, Nancy and Jim moved their young family to Gulf Breeze, Florida, and Nancy taught fifth grade and in the gifted program at Gulf Breeze Elementary School for many years.
After her retirement, Nancy volunteered at the Gulf Breeze Library and with many ministries of the Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church. She was especially devoted to animals, rescuing several dogs and cats and to the many friends she made in her teaching career, at the Gulf Breeze Dog Park, and in her church. In her last years, her pup Pixie was her special companion.
Nancy was predeceased by her mother, Gertrude Landry Johnson, and her father, George Greeley Johnson, both of Birmingham.
She is survived by her daughter, Victoria Douglass Sullivan (Robert) of Vestavia Hills, and two sons, Col. (USAF, ret) Charles A. Douglass (Annette), of Mathews, Alabama, and James Robert Douglass (Leisa) of Birmingham, Alabama. She is also survived by seven grandsons — Tommy Garvey, Ethan Douglass, Max Douglass, and Will Douglass, all of Birmingham; and Patrick Sullivan (Kaleigh Foy) of Birmingham and San Francisco, CA, Alex Sullivan (Katharine) of Vestavia Hills, and Andy Sullivan (Sara) of Homewood, as well as two great-grandsons, George and Benjamin Sullivan of Homewood and Vestavia Hills, respectively.
The family would like to thank the caregivers from Lipford Home Care, especially including Shea, Alesia, Catherine, Yolanda, and many others.
Services will be held on Saturday, June 15, at Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church, in Gulf Breeze, Florida, with visitation beginning at 10 am and the service at 11 am. Private burial will follow at Bay View Memorial Park in Pensacola, Florida. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Pensacola Humane Society or the Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church.
