Nancy Laura Nicely

Nancy "Nanny" Laura Nicely, 95, of Dowling Park, Florida, passed away peacefully on March 6, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on May 30, 1930, in Allegany County, Virginia, Nancy was the youngest of 11 children to the late Susie Lemon (Robinson) and Charles Hubert Nicely, Sr.

Nancy married Johnny "Pappy" Edward Nicely in Iron Gate, Virginia on February 15, 1950. They enjoyed 59 wonderful years of marriage until Johnny's passing in 2009. Together they raised three children, served in the ministry for over 44 years, pastoring Advent Christian churches in Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida. They also grew strawberries for Nicely Farms in Dover, Florida where they finally settled the family and later retired.

Nancy graduated from Central High School in Low Moor, Virginia in 1948. She went on to earn her License for Practical Nursing from Watts Hospital in Durham, North Carolina. She continued to provide nursing care after moving to Florida in 1967, working at South Florida Baptist Hospital in Plant City and in the offices of various doctors throughout the eastern Hillsborough County area.

Nancy and Johnny's final pastorate was held at the Seffner Community Advent Christian Church where she was church pianist and organist, sang in the choir, served as a Deaconess, and as a member of "The Dirty Six" who kept the church facilities clean and in order at all times.

Nancy is survived by son Johnny Nicely and his wife Cathy, daughters Charlene Harrell and Carol Nicely, grandchildren Brittany Nicely Wendt, Jenifer Harrell Gold, and Christian Keith Nicely. Nancy was also blessed with two great grandchildren, Gideon Joseph Wendt and Londyn Harper Gold.

Nancy was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was a devoted caregiver to her family while caring for others through her work as a nurse. She loved the Lord and faithfully served Him throughout her lifetime. Nancy's kind gentle nature was an inspiration to all who knew her and she will be missed tremendously by those who loved her so dearly.

A funeral service will be held at Bixler Memorial Chapel in the Advent Christian Village at Dowling Park on Friday, March 13 where the family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 am. The service will begin at 11:00 am. A committal service will follow at Bixler Memorial Gardens East.

It was Nancy's wish, that in lieu of flowers, a charitable gift be made to the Advent Christian Village in Dowling Park in her memory. All expressions of sympathy are sincerely appreciated by the Nicely family.