Nancy Lyman Williams Long

Nancy Lyman Williams Long, age 83, of Baskett, KY, passed away on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at her daughter's home in Jeffersonville, IN.
Nancy was born in Evansville, IN on July 30, 1941, however, she lived her entire life in the town she referred to as "Beautiful Downtown Baskett" Kentucky. Nancy graduated from Henderson County High School summa cum laude and Murray State University magna cum laude. She was Murray's outstanding Home Economics student of 1963. Nancy researched, traveled, and did the paperwork to establish a chapter of Kappa Omicron Phi on the campus of Murray and served as it's first president. She was president of the Home Economics Club and Historian for the State Home Economics organization. Nancy was accepted into Who's Who in America Colleges and Universities for her outstanding achievements and contributions to her school. Teaching was her chosen vocation, and she considered teaching a joy and felt it was the most honorable profession. Many of her students remained lifelong friends. Teaching for 32 years, her career started at Henderson City High, moving to Henderson Community College (where she started the first child development center), Henderson County High School, and South Middle. Later, Nancy worked as an interior decorator for Trends and Traditions, she felt honored to be able to work for and with Ann Williams, a former high school teacher and mentor.
Nancy embraced the quotation, "Do not wait until it is time to die, to find that you have never lived." thus, she strived to make each day meaningful in her daily living. Nancy chose to put God first, followed by her husband, children, grandchildren, and extended family. Truly, she felt that motherhood was the most noble calling, thinking it to be the most beautiful of all arts and the greatest of all professions. Nancy was inspired by her mother, of whom she had the greatest love and admiration for.
She greatly enjoyed, along with her husband and children, traveling and touring all of the 50 states and 50 capitol buildings. Sewing, flower gardening, reading, English history, the sciences, architecture, antique furniture, interior design, and American history kept her busy. A stack of books was always awaiting her. Nancy was a wedding coordinator and directed over 250 weddings. For 25 years she operated, with her family and sister-in-law, N & S Catering.
While teaching at Henderson City High, she was selected as "Teacher of the Year" and in 1988 was the Teacher of the Year at Henderson County High School. Nancy was an early supporter of the Henderson Arts Council and sat on the board as it's president. She co-chaired Carousel of Arts in the Park for 2 years. Nancy also sat on the board for Habitat for many years and was dedicated to its purposes and goals. She chaired the Women's Division of the Henderson County Fair in it's early days at Ellis Park.
Nancy supported all activities in her beloved Baskett, including the Good Time Softball league for youth, Baskett Fire Department, and the Baskett Cemetery. She co-chaired a three-day event when Baskett turned 100 in 1988. When the Baskett Christian Church turned 100 in 2002, she added to the history of the church and to the history of Baskett. She was a lifelong member of Baskett Christian Church having served at one time as the assistant organist and teaching of various Sunday school classes. She was a deacon for over 40 years. Nancy and Jim enjoyed decorating the church for Christmas every year for 32 years.
There were several "first in her life". Nancy was the first in her family to graduate from college. According to a letter sent to her mother from the principle of HCHS, she was the first graduate of HCHS to earn a 4-point average for her first semester in college and she was Henderson and Kentucky's first Junior Miss aka (Distinguished Young Woman).
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents Carrie Abilene Roll Williams in 1980 and Thomas Stanley Williams in 1995, her husband James E. Long in 2023, and an adored brother Mark Roll Williams in 2004.
Nancy is survived by her daughter Abbie Sue Long Zastawny (Edward), son James Brennan Long, all of Jeffersonville, IN; grandchildren who called her Poppins: Ethan Zastawny of Las Vegas, NV, Brennan Zastawny (Lindsey) of Cincinnati, OH, Lillian and Hannah of Jeffersonville, IN and Louisville, KY. She is also survived by her brother Thomas Jonathan Williams (Linda) and sisters-in-law: Emma Sue Beasley Williams, Sharon Long Utley (Buddy), and Shirley Roberts; brothers-in-law Scottie Joe Long (Cindy) and John Robert Long; as well as precious nieces, nephews, cousins, and great and great-great nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to Nancy's Life Celebration from 2:00 p.m. until the service time on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Benton-Glunt & Tapp Funeral Home in Henderson, KY. A memorial service will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home with Reverend Jim Westmoreland officiating.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Baskett Christian Church (7478 Carson Dr Henderson KY 42420) or the Baskett Cemetery (7728 Baskett Cemetery Rd., Henderson, KY 42420).
Arrangements entrusted to Benton-Glunt & Tapp Funeral Home, A Life Celebration® Home. Please visit www.bentongluntandtappfuneralhome.com to share memories and words of comfort with Nancy's family.