Nancy McSwain Phipps

Nancy McSwain Phipps, 82, of Harlingen, Texas, died peacefully on March 18th, 2024.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Reverend William “Bill” G. Phipps, her sister and brother-in law, Patricia “Pat” M. and Charles C. Hancock, and her parents, James D. and Agnes P. McSwain. She is survived by her nieces, Helen Hancock of Salem, Virginia, and Carol Hancock Whalen (Bruce) of Pine Ridge, South Dakota, and their children, as well as Bill’s sons, Marcus (Lisa) of Harlingen, and Brian (Carol) of Shawnee, Kansas, and their children and grandchildren.

Nancy was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and moved to Johnson City, Tennessee, when she was six years old.  She graduated from Science Hill High School and East Tennessee State University, both in Johnson City.  She was a high school and college Mathematics teacher for many years.  Nancy was always very close to her sister, Pat and her family.

She lived in Clearwater, Florida for more than 30 years and in 2002, she met and married Bill, the love of her life.  Shortly after, she and Bill moved to Roanoke, Virginia, to be closer to family.  She was a member of the teacher sorority, Alpha Delta Kappa for fifty years and was treasurer of one of the Roanoke chapters, Gamma Lambda.  Nancy was active in the Presbyterian Church since childhood where she served in many roles including music director and pianist.  She met her husband, Bill, at their church in Florida.  She and Bill shared this passion for music and a love of traveling.  In 2016, she and Bill moved to Harlingen, Texas, to be closer to his family.  Nancy was well loved by everyone she knew.

Many thanks to the Nursing Care staff at Golden Palms Retirement Center for lovingly caring for Nancy in her final days.  Also, Carol and Helen want to thank Marcus and his family for taking such good care of their beloved aunt these last few years when they were unable to do it.

A graveside service will be Mont Meta Memorial Park in San Benito, Texas, on Sunday, March 24, at 2:00 p.m.

A celebration of Nancy’s life will be held at a later date in Salem, Virginia, for her Roanoke-area friends and family.