Mrs. Nancy Lee Heyward-Bey

Nancy Lee Walker (Heyward) was born on March 13, 1943 in Marion County, South Carolina. She was 6th out of 10 children born to LeRoy Walker and Sarah Howard Walker. Nancy grew up and attended school in the small rural town of Pee Dee, SC along with her siblings Gracie, Eva, Alice, Cora Lee, Leroy, Jr., Carolyn, Jacob, James and Annie Bell. During her early adult life, Nancy moved to Newark, New Jersey. While working at the Remco Toy factory, she met William Heyward-Bey. They married on June 14, 1963, and out of their union six beautiful children were born: Tawanna, Kim, Delephia, William, Jr., Teenella and Ravanna. Nancy was a devoted wife to William for over 30 years, and they had a lifelong friendship. She was a homemaker for two decades before pursuing a career in nursing. Because she had a deep love and caring for others, she began studying nursing at Essex County College, which led to a career as a Home Health Aide until her retirement due to ill health. Nancy had a deep faith and love for God which was rooted in the Holiness faith. She was one of the early members of Citadel of Hope Mission in East Orange, New Jersey (Pastor Geraldine Powell, Founder). She was a devoted member for 40 years and served faithfully on the Usher Board. After many dedicated years she became known as Mother Heyward. Nancy was 5 feet tall with a feisty 6 feet tall personality. She also had a gentle and humble spirit. She was known and loved by all who knew her. She was a pillar of the South 9th Street community. She built deep friendships throughout her life. Her best friends Ida James, Betty Carter, Lena Britt, and Clara Speakman have enjoyed and cherished their sisterhood with Nancy for 45-50+ years. She had many other friendships which are too numerous to list that she also cherished. She was truly an example of what true friendship is. Nancy loved her children and always taught them to put God first and be in prayer. She was affectionately called "Big Mom" by all her grandchildren. They were the joy of her life and she displayed numerous pictures of them around her home. She constantly spoke of her children and grandchildren with all who knew her. Nancy is preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Gracie and Alice; three brothers, Leroy, Jacob and James; two children, Kim and William, Jr. Those left behind to celebrate her life are her four daughters, Tawanna Lofton (Dallas, TX), Delephia Riley (Atlanta, GA), Teenella Bunema (Memphis, TN) and Ravanna Heyward-Bey (Newark, NJ); sons-in-law, Cecil Lofton, Alex Riley and Alex Bunema; eight grandchildren, Michael, Cecil, Barry, William, Cassius, Kumuanya, Jaala and Misenga; five siblings, Eva, Cora Lee, Carolyn, Annie Bell and Hezekiah; sisters-in-law, Leola, Irma, Juliet, Orissa, Joyce, Mattie, Vivian and Adrienne; and a brother-in-law Udraka; along with an extended list of relatives and friends all over the country. Mom you will truly be missed by all. We are so grateful that God chose you for us. Mom, our lives will never be the same without you.