Nancy Munk Jeffreys

Nancy M. Jeffreys, 87, died on September 10, 2023. She was born Nancy Munk on February 27, 1936, in San Antonio, Texas to Louis and Ann Etta (Stanley) Munk. She had a boundless love for her family and was born with the gift of service. Through her work and her volunteerism, she served her family and community with honor and distinction.

Nancy is survived by her sister Angie McGee Huntington of San Antonio, daughter Nancy L. McClary (John), of Corpus Christi, son Charles Dudley Lightsey (Kristine), of Nashville, Tennessee, nieces Janetta (JJ) Caldwell, Bonnie Kay Browning, Laura Shae Huntington (Becca Halliburton), Shannon Huntington Houghtaling (Gus), all of San Antonio, Caroline Wrockloff, and Charlotte Wrockloff, of Austin. She held a special place in her heart for the youngest of the family, and her face would beam with joy on seeing Madeline, Holland, and Hayes. Her dear friend, Mildred Markle, of San Antonio, was an enduring source of encouragement, love, and friendship.

Nancy was preceded in death by her father Louis Munk, mother Ann Etta (Stanlely) Munk; brothers Rankin (Cotton) Munk, Louis C. (Bubba) Munk, Jr., Louis Leo Munk, sister Bonnie (Munk)Trent; and nephew Michael David Munk.

Nancy graduated from Harlandale High School in 1953. She was the second of six children born to Ann Etta (Babe) Munk. Her family struggled financially following the death of their father in 1949. At that time, society approached families in crisis differently, and Nancy lived for a while with two of her siblings in a San Antonio orphanage until the family was reunited. Family lore includes tales of her "escapes" from the orphanage when she would embark, brother and sister in tow, on missions to reunite the family, saying, "Let's go find Mama." Strength and independence forged in those tough times carried her throughout her life.

Nancy's beloved mother died from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in 1956. While at her mother's hospital bedside, Nancy vowed to keep the family together. She was only 20 years old and newly married, but she and her husband took in two of her sisters and a brother to support and raise. She gave birth to her two children before her husband passed in 1967.

She supported her family with a 37-year career at Southwestern Bell and later, AT&T. In 1987, Bell tasked her with a pivotal role in preparing communication lines and equipment before Pope John Paul II's historic trip to San Antonio. Of the many Bell employees who contributed to this endeavor, Nancy was singled out for recognition by the United States Secret Service for her performance. In 1988, the White House Communications Agency recognized her efforts in a similar role for a Vice-Presidential visit.

Nancy dedicated countless hours to civic and volunteer organizations, including the Telephone Pioneers of America, Santa Rosa Children's Hospital, the Visiting Nurses Association, Kidney Association of San Antonio, San Antonio State Hospital, American Business Women's Association (ABWA), and Pilot Club International, San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo (school tours and more).

She served in various leadership roles in each of these organizations. Nancy was the driving force behind one of the Pioneers trademark efforts in the 1980s, Project Love, which provided parents with fingerprint records of thousands of children when child safety was a growing concern. She received many accolades for her leadership on this project.

After retiring from AT&T, she founded Nancy J's Gift Services. As a small business owner, her creativity flourished and she dominated the local custom gift basket business for years. Her success led to more recognition when the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce named her 1994 Most Enterprising Woman and she received the coveted National Athena Award.

Later, Nancy became a valued member of Meeting Planners International. She started creating custom centerpieces and built lasting friendships. As a member of MPI, she helped serve Christmas dinner to the elderly (even though she may have been considered an elder at that point).

Nancy loved her family and her friends. She embraced life to the very end. We miss her every minute of every day.

To honor Nancy's legacy, the family asks you to please consider donating to the Aplastic Anemia & MDF International Association, your local literacy program, a food bank, or your favorite charity.