Nancy Jo (Moore) Britton, of Batesville, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 15, 2024, in her home. She was born on July 7, 1935, the first child of Sidney Francis Moore and Artie ”May” (Walker) Moore, in Anthony, Kansas, and was joined by her sister, Mary Frances (Moore) McKown, two years later. The family moved to Wichita, Kansas, where Nancy grew up and attended school. She graduated from the University of Kansas in Lawrence, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and met her future husband Samuel Bernard Britton, who was earning a PhD at KU. The couple married on December 21, 1955, in her parents’ home, and shared 45 loving years together until Sam’s death in 2000. Together they raised four children: Pamela Grace, Stuart Lee, Melissa Jane, and Cynthia Bennett.
The couple traveled with Sam’s work as a chemist from Kansas to White Plains, New York; Little Rock, Arkansas; Charleston, West Virginia; Pleasantville, New York; and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. While in West Virginia, Nancy earned her master’s degree in History from Marshall University while also caring for her four children under the age of seven.
Sam and Nancy set permanent roots in Batesville to raise their children. Nancy was a loving and devoted mother who instilled a love of reading, music, theater, education and travel in her children. She was always actively involved in her children’s lives and church, and many area residents fondly remember her as their Sunday School teacher. Nancy was a proud seventh-generation United Methodist and traced her family back to a circuit-riding preacher.
She had a lifelong passion for genealogy and historical research and became a dedicated historian, educator, author and community leader, all while consistently setting an example of faith, curiosity and a love of learning for her children and grandchildren. Nancy painstakingly traced the family lineage of each of her children’s spouses after they married.
As an educator, Nancy served as an adjunct history faculty member at Lyon College from 1975 to 1992. She pioneered a program of teaching college-level Western Civilization courses at Batesville High School and Southside High School from 1978 to 1985, becoming the first person ever to do so for Lyon College. In 2023, Lyon presented Nancy with the Friend of Education Award.
One of Nancy’s most notable contributions to the community was her 28-year role as the Editor of the Independence County Historical Society Chronicle from 1986 to 2014. In 2005, Nancy received the AHA Lifetime Achievement Award for her tireless dedication to historical preservation. She also served on the AHA Board of Trustees for ten years and chaired numerous committees. She was also a former Director of the Arkansas United Methodist Historical Society.
Nancy played a pivotal role in the founding and growth of the Old Independence Regional Museum in Batesville, serving as a trustee and former secretary of the board, and loved sponsoring museum days in honor of her grandchildren. Nancy authored and co-authored several significant works on the history of several Arkansas churches, a collectibles price guide on the Spanish-American War, and numerous other historical books, booklets and articles related to the history of Batesville, its citizens, and its historic homes.
She was a lifelong fan of Kansas Jayhawks basketball and was equally passionate about Arkansas Razorbacks football and basketball. She was an active member of Central Avenue United Methodist Church. Nancy and Sam were blessed by amazing friends throughout their lives and she cherished her special friends in The Bridge Club. She loved to travel the world with Sam. She continued to travel throughout her life, even making two trips in 2023 to Philadelphia for granddaughter Kate’s wedding and New York City to meet granddaughter Emily’s future parents-in-law, who became special friends.
Nancy’s favorite role in life was Grandma, or Gma as she was affectionately called. She developed deep relationships with all of her grandchildren and was always a wise counsel and a fun participant in their escapades. Everyone wanted Gma on their team in Trivial Pursuit, Canasta, and Mah Jong.
While highly accomplished, Nancy was above all a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who will be deeply missed. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, and her husband. She is survived by her four children (Pam Reese (Joe), Stuart Britton (Shana), Melissa Britton, and Cindy Barber (Lannie); eight grandchildren (Katherine Marie Reese (Curt Mauger), Matthew Britton Reese (Liz), Sam Walker Reese (Molly), Thomas Jackson Britton (Meghan), Daniel Hill Britton (Leah), Britton Ross Barber, Emily Grace Barber (Sinan Eczacibasi), and Allison Jane Barber; five great-grandchildren (Penelope Grace Barber, Desmond Ross Barber, Freya Garden Reese, Oren Shiloh Reese, and Declan Lee Britton); and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. Her sixth great-grandchild, Lucy Noel Britton, is due this week and Nancy was excitedly looking forward to meeting her.
Nancy’s Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 24, at Central Avenue United Methodist Church, with Reverend Paul Seay and Reverend Jesse James officiating. Visitation will be from 12 – 1 p.m. in the sanctuary. Burial will follow the service at Oaklawn Cemetery in Batesville.
Pallbearers are Lannie Barber, Britton Barber, Sinan Eczacibasi, Matt Reese, Sam Reese, and Thomas Britton. Honorary pallbearers are Stuart Britton, Hakan Hettinger, and Dan Britton.
Memorials for Nancy Britton may be made to Central Avenue United Methodist Church, 1205 N. Central Avenue, the Lyon College History Department (lyon.edu/give), or the Old Independence Regional Museum (shopatthemuseum.org).
