Nancy Davis Smith

Nancy was born August 31, 1937 in Lawrenceville, Illinois to Millard Clifton “Jack” Davis and Rebecca Cook Davis. Nancy and her older brother, Phillip Clarke Davis were reared by their parents in Lawrenceville, Illinois. Nancy graduated from Lawrenceville Township High School on May 31, 1955 and attended the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. It was while attending the University of Illinois she met Philip Palmer Smith of Chicago, Ill. They were married August 20, 1960 at First Presbyterian Church in Lawrenceville, ILL. Nancy and Phil were married 59 years until Phil’s passing in 2019.

While still in medical school at the University of Illinois, Nancy and Phil welcomed the birth of their son, Phil Jr. Upon completion of medical school in 1962, Nancy, Phil and Phil Jr. moved to Washington, D.C. so Phil could complete his internship and residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. It was while at Walter Reed they welcomed a beautiful daughter, Cynthia Lynn Smith into the world.

Upon completion of training in 1966, the U.S. Army relocated Nancy and her family to Fort Gordon in Augusta, GA. It was during their stay in Augusta that Phil was deployed to Vietnam and served at the 8th Field Hospital in Nha Trang from 1968-1969. Nancy kept the home fires burning and upon Phil’s return the Smith family decided to leave the army and move to Wilmington, NC. It was in Wilmington that they stayed and reared their children.

Nancy and Phil were members of First Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, then Myrtle Grove Presbyterian Church and finally Global River Church. It was during the 1972 Azalea Festival in Wilmington, NC which was headlined by Pat Boone that both Nancy and Phil committed their lives to Jesus Christ and began their journey of relying on God’s grace and direction. One of Nancy’s favorite bible verses to share was Philippians 4:6-7, “Don’t worry about anything; just pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Nancy was a truly committed, unwavering soldier of Jesus Christ leading many souls to salvation and everlasting life. She loved music and played the piano and guitar often leading the praise and worship of her small group that met weekly at her home. Nancy and Phil welcomed Nancy’s brother Phil Davis and his wife Mary Dee Davis into their home in Wilmington for several years in the 2000-2010’s. Nancy will be treasured forever for her positive attitude and complete reliance on her faith in God and His plan for good for each and every one of us.

Nancy is survived by her son, Philip (Caroline), daughter Cynthia (Rand) and six grandchildren: Samuel, Zachary, Noah, Rachel, Taylor, Palmer and one great grandchild, Jane Elizabeth Meyer. Also nephews Robert (Kim), Bradley (Imelda) and niece Sandra (Keith) and niece Jan (Ken), Dorothy, nephews David (Anna), Dale, Douglas (Tracy) and 21 grandnieces and grandnephews and 18 great grandnieces and grandnephews.

We will all miss Nancy, Mom and Nana and know God has welcomed her into His Kingdom with a “Well done good and faithful servant”

A celebration of Nancy’s life will take place Saturday, August 29 at 1:00 PM at Christ Covenant Sandy Springs, 650 Mount Vernon Hwy, NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328.