Nancy Lee Deck Singletary

A celebration of the life of Nancy Lee Deck Singletary, 88, from Thomasville, GA will be held at four P.M. Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at First Baptist Church, Thomasville. The Reverend Dr. Milton C. Gardner and Pastor Dr. Mark McNees will officiate. Mrs. Singletary passed away September 20, 2014 at her home. Born September 1, 1926 in Tulsa, OK, Nan was the daughter of George W. Deck and Guila Baker Deck. She attended the Monticello Preparatory School in Alton, IL. Later she attended the University of Wisconsin, where she was a member of Delta Gamma Sorority and met Terrell Albie Singletary, whom she married on March 23, 1946. Establishing their home in Thomasville, Nan began raising her family and supporting her husband as he grew his business. She was always deeply involved in her children’s activities, including: Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and chaperoning countless trips. The family enjoyed riding and showing Tennessee Walking Horses together across the country. She was also very involved in the Thomasville community. Throughout her life, she volunteered with the Junior Service League, particularly with the Crippled Children’s Clinic. She worked with Camp Arrow, a camp for children with multiple disabilities, for over 50 years, passing this dedication to helping children in need down to her children and grandchildren. As a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, she nurtured innumerable animals back to health and returned them to the wild. Nan and her husband Terrell were long-time Sunday school teachers, impacting myriad individuals and young couples. For years she was a leader in the Thomasville First Baptist Church WMU. She went on mission trips and supported missionaries all of her life, particularly those in Guatemala, Haiti, and Africa. She loved the arts and was a docent at Pebble Hill Plantation for years, enjoying its history and beauty. She delighted in painting and quilting, cooking for her family, and learning throughout her life. She was a part of the Thomasville Entertainment Foundation and a leader in the Thomasville Garden Club, devoting countless hours to Rose Show. So many times Nan volunteered and worked alongside her husband, Terrell. They served together on the original Board of Trustees of Brookwood School. In 1977, they were awarded the first-ever Couple of the Year Award by the Chamber of Commerce. Over the years, Nan and Terrell continued to enrich the lives of others—particularly those with special needs—by helping establish Hands and Hearts for Horses Therapeutic Riding Center at their farm. Preceded in death by her husband Terrell Albie Singletary and her son Thomas Brayton Singletary, she is survived by: her son and daughter-in-law Bill and Suzanne Singletary of Philadelphia; daughter Polly Singletary of Flowery Branch; daughter Nancy Cheney of Thomasville; Martha and Michael Hanna of Thomasville; and grandchildren John-Paul Singletary, Katie Hanna Fox and Cody Fox, Will and Kelsey Hanna, and Brayton Hanna. This description of Mrs. Singletary’s life and accomplishments cannot begin to touch on the intangible qualities of love, integrity, and strength of character that she carried throughout her daily life. Always concerned about the needs of others, she shared her time and talents with anyone and everyone. In her home one had the feeling that there was always more than enough love to go around. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to support the mission work of her granddaughter in Uganda at Global Outreach International, P.O. Box 1, Tupelo, MS 38802. In the memo line of your check, please write “4128” or “Katie and Cody Fox". Donations can also be made to Hands and Hearts for Horses, P.O. Box 2790, Thomasville, GA 31799 or Camp Arrow Inc. P.O. Box 647, Thomasville, GA 31799.