Nancy Jane Blair

Nancy Jane Blair passed away on Saturday, November 6, 2010 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Knoxville, TN, on December 18, 1937, daughter of the late Gladys Taylor Blair of Rye Cove, VA and Samuel Alexander Blair of Cincinnati, OH. She grew up in Oneida, TN and though she has been away from there since high school graduation, has maintained many friends there. After graduating from Oneida High School in 1955, Nancy attended Carson-Newman College, Jefferson City, TN, where she earned a B.S. in Music Education. At Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, TX she earned a Masters degree in Church Music with a major in piano, graduating in 1961. She also held an AAGO Organ Degree from the American Guild of Organists. In 2003 she was presented the Distinguished Service Award from the School of Church
Music, Southwestern Theological Seminary. Nancy served as Minister of Music for First Baptist Church, Osceola, AR from 1961 to 1976. She served as Organist/Music Associate for Briarlake Baptist Church in Decatur, GA from 1976 until her retirement in August of 2002. She was member of Smoke Rise Baptist Church where she served as a deacon, sang in the adult choir, and substituted at the organ when needed. She was an active and enthusiastic member of the Georgia Baptist Jubalheirs, a choir composed of ladies from across the state. She revoiced much of their music to SSAA to make it compatible with ladies' voices. Nancy's marvelous gift of music has stirred and brightened the hearts of all who knew her or heard her play the organ and piano, or direct one of her many handbell and choral groups. Though never married herself, she helped countless brides create the wedding of their dreams as she assisted them in planning not only the music but the entire service. In so doing, beautiful memories of a romantic and worshipful wedding were created for many young couples. Nancy was always available and ready to console a grieving family by helping to plan an appropriate service honoring their loved one. After each service the family was provided a list of all music that was played as well as the names of instrumentalists and speakers. Nancy had a unique gift for discovering the talents of other young musicians, teaching and encouraging them to be the best that they could be. Because of her influence there are numerous very accomplished musicians serving in church music ministries and teaching children in both schools and churches. She is survived by a distant cousin, Russell Blair and his wife Isabelle and their children of Westport. CT; Dr. Nelson Gwaltney and family of Bristol, TN whose family she lived with in Osceola, AR and who became like a son to her; the Wade Johnson family who became her "adopted family" after the passing of her mother in 1986; Beverly Fuller and Dr. Wayne and Kathy Hutchens, who have been at her side daily during this long battle with cancer, Rev. Larry and Sandy Sullivan who served with her at Briarlake for her entire ministry and ministered to her tirelessly throughout her illness, dear long time friends Scott and Melissa Rutherford of Marietta, GA. and Ms. Pat Brooks, her constant and loving caregiver for the past year. Nancy Jane Blair was a unique and loving lady who leaves many friends who will miss her compassionate spirit and her ever ready "directions." She always had an answer or solution which one was wise to heed as she was almost always right. Her devotion to God and to his people was exceptional. She always encouraged everyone to strive toward giving their very best to the Lord. A graveside service and burial will take place in Oneida, TN on Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at the Carson Memorial Cemetery, Carson Memorial Drive. Rev. Phillip Kazee, retired pastor of First Baptist Church Oneida and Rev. Larry Sullivan, retired Minister to Adults, Briarlake Baptist Church, Decatur, GA in charge of the service. A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home, Decatur, GA is in charge of arrangements. A memorial service will be held on November 13, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at Smoke Rise Baptist Church, 5901 Hugh Howell Road, Stone Mountain, GA, led by Rev. Robert F. Browning, Pastor; Rev. Larry Sullivan, retired Minister of Adults & Missions, Briarlake Baptist Church, Decatur; Rev. Inman Houston, Pastor of First Baptist Church, Lawrenceville; and Rev. Kathy Dobbins, Minister of Spiritual Formation and Nancy's Sunday School teacher at Smoke Rise. Musical offerings will be provided by the Smoke Rise Adult Choir under the direction of Rev. Danny Vancil, Minister of Music, Smoke Rise Baptist Church; the Georgia Baptist Jubalheirs under the direction of Dr. Jon Duncan, Music and Worship Ministries, Georgia Baptist Convention; and colleagues and associates
of Nancy: Dr. Becky Lombard, Professor of Music/Fine Arts at Truett-McConnell College, Cleveland, GA; Julie Platt, former pianist at Briarlake Baptist Church; Rev. Paul Clark, Director of Worship & Music Ministries at Tennessee Baptist Convention, Brentwood, TN; and Rev. Harry Wooten, Minister of Music, Royal Lane Baptist Church, Dallas, TX. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Smoke Rise Baptist Church Music Ministry or to the Briarlake Baptist Church Organ Fund. A. S. Turner & Sons


Funeral Home:
AS Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033