Nancy Nealy Ragsdale

1938 - 2023

Nancy Nealy Ragsdale passed away on October 2, 2023, at her home near Crozet, Virginia after a battle with lung cancer.

She is survived by her husband, William, her two daughters Nancy Virginia Ragsdale and Elizabeth Ragsdale Howard, and her two step-grandchildren Auston Lee Burgess and Shayla Burgess Barclay. She is predeceased by grandson, Theodore William Howard and son-in-law, Jeffrey Lee Burgess. Nancy was born on Feb 5, 1938, in Griffin, Georgia. She graduated from Griffin High School and attended Emory University where she became a member of Kappa Delta Sorority. She married William in 1959 and moved to Connecticut, where she graduated from Central Connecticut State University with a BS in general science and chemistry. After moving to Silver Spring, Maryland, she completed her education at the University of Maryland, receiving MS and PhD degrees in botany. While she spent part of her professional career at the University of Maryland, she spent most of her career at the U S Department of Agriculture, where she was involved with research, policy, and regulations related to agricultural pesticides. An active member of the American Chemical Society, she held the office of Chairman of the Agrochemical Division and other offices. After retirement, Nancy conducted tours as a docent at the U S Botanic Garden. She loved family, flowers, gardening, ballet, swimming, bicycling, and visits to England.

A graveside service will be held at Mountain Plain Cemetery near Crozet, Virginia at 11 a.m. on October 21, 2023. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Friends of the U S Botanic Garden, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, or your favorite charity.