Nancy Ann Wharton

Nancy Ann (Smith) Wharton, devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at her home with her family by her side.

Nancy was born April 22, 1946, in Bloomington, Illinois, to Emma Hall and Ted Smith.

Nancy married Melvin Eugene Wharton on December 26, 1981, and together they shared 44 wonderful years together. They were each other's lifelong companions and friends. Nancy was a loving mother who did an amazing job raising six sons and a stepdaughter.

Besides raising six sons, some of Nancy's previous employment includes waitress, cook, and bartender. She had worked at many area establishments and additionally worked at Lawrence AIS Home as a caregiver. She was a foster parent to some 60 boys over her lifetime, and her and Melvin were named "Foster Parents of the Year". She became a bus driver for Lawrence Public Schools. At her last employment, she was a bus driver for Van Buren Intermediate School District, in which she retired after 20 years. She was a past member of the Lawrence Quick Response Team.

Nancy enjoyed growing flowers, playing cards, traveling, fishing, and trips to the casino.

Nancy is survived by her beloved husband, Melvin Wharton; sons, Don Brown of Elizabethtown, Indiana, Dewayne Taylor of Columbus, Indiana, Terry Brown of Gobles, Michigan; stepdaughter, Ginger (Mario) Muniz of Bangor, Michigan; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She is also survived by two brothers, Norman (Tammy) Smith of Columbus, Indiana, Steven (Polly) Smith of Freetown, Indiana; three sisters, Ruth (Mike) Hunter of Freetown, Indiana, Cathy (Gordy) Newby of Seymour, Indiana, Ebbie (Lenard) Burdine of Seymour, Indiana; brother in law, Gordon (Dawn) Wharton of Paw Paw, Michigan and sister in law, Sharron (Scott) Jennings of Margate, Florida.

Nancy was preceded in passing by her parents, three sons, Albert Taylor of Taylorsville, Indiana, Travis Taylor of Lawrence, Michigan and Richard Taylor of Kalamazoo, Michigan and two brothers, James and Gary Smith of Columbus, Indiana.

As per her wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no services. Nancy will be laid to rest at Hill Cemetery in Lawrence at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Lawrence Quick Response Team, 205 N. Paw Paw Street, PO Box #445, Lawrence, MI 49064.