Celebrating Nancy Spaine's Life and Dedication to the WNCC Archives

By: Rev. Jim Pyatt,

Nancy Spaine (September 9, 1928 - May 6, 2023)

Nancy was born on September 9, 1928 in Mt. Vernon, IL to Glenn and Hester Hilliard Atkinson. She moved to North Carolina in 1948 to marry the love of her life, Harry Spaine. A long-time member at Pleasant Grove UMC, Charlotte, Nancy took great interest in the history and heritage of the church.

Nancy was a stay at home Mom until her children were grown, then she took classes at CPCC in order to start a new career. Nancy was hired as the Assistant Archivist for the WNC Conference in 1981, and served in this capacity until the end of 2014, serving with three different Archivists for a total of 33 years. Nancy loved genealogy and was a charter member of the Mecklenburg Genealogical Society. Her accumulation of church cemetery records continues to be an important research tool for the Archives. Nancy also provided significant research in identifying closed and abandoned church properties to assist the WNC Conference Trustees in their work. In addition, she was much beloved by her colleagues on the WNC Conference Staff, always desiring to assist others and greeting everyone with a smile and a hearty laugh.

Nancy entered the more immediate presence of the Lord on May 6, 2023. A Celebration of Life Service for Nancy was held in the chapel at Forest Lawn West Funeral and Cremation service on May 13. Nancy is survived by her daughter, Marsha Walpole (husband Matt), son David Spaine (partner Cyndi Zande), granddaughter, Emily Walpole; brother, Tom Atkinson (wife Melanie), cousins, Nancy Mears and Elizabeth Boyles (husband Larry) and beloved nieces and nephews.

The WNC Conference was blessed to have Mrs. Nancy Spaine as our Archival Assistant for 33 years. Her legacy continues with the records that we maintain.