Nancy Bishop Thomas, 88, retired director of Maury County Department of Human Services, died Monday, June 17, 2013, at Life Care Center of Columbia.

Nancy was born Sep. 22, 1924, to Nannie Lou Mackey Bishop and James Toy Bishop of Piedmont, S.C., the sixth of seven children. Orphaned as a teenager, she completed her schooling with the help of family and Presbyterian churches. She graduated from Flora MacDonald College in North Carolina, and began working as a Christian Educator at 4th Presbyterian Church in Greenville, S.C. In 1948, she was called to the First Presbyterian Church in Columbia to serve as Christian Educator, together with the new pastor, The Rev. M.C. "Buck" Patterson and his family.

Miss Bishop became Mrs. Thomas when she married Charles Stephens Thomas Jr., a native of Maury County and descendent of pioneer families. Nancy and Charles were married in August 1950 to the delight of her youth group. She continued to serve First Presbyterian as Christian Educator, kindergarten teacher, Presbyterian Women's leader, Sunday School teacher and faithful disciple throughout her career in teaching and education. Nancy pursued graduate studies at Peabody College while serving as Assistant Director of the King's Daughters School in Columbia. Mrs. Thomas continued to serve others in her work for the Tennessee Department of Human Services, rising through the ranks to become Maury County Director, and retiring in 1987.

Charles S. Thomas, Jr. preceded Nancy in joining the church triumphant.

Nancy is survived by two sons, the Rev. Charles S. "Steve" Thomas III and wife Paula Hollingsworth-Thomas of Lewisburg and Houston B. Thomas and fiancée Carol Richardson of Barlett, Tenn. Grandchildren are Charles S. Thomas IV (Julie) of Franklin, Lillian Elise Thomas of Nashville, Madison Leigh Thomas and Samuel Houston Thomas of Bartlett, and great-grandchild Eva Elizabeth Thomas of Franklin. She is also survived by brother J. Willard Bishop of Anderson, S.C., and sister Robbie Herd of Simpsonville, S.C.

Nancy is also survived by generations of women and men with whom she shared the love of Christ and the joy of discipleship.

A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 21, at First Presbyterian Church with the Revs. Joe Evans and Jennie Barber officiating. Interment will follow in St. John's Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be John W. Satterwhite Jr., Dr. Cary W. Pulliam, Frank K. Dale, James Fleming, George Bennett, and Don Crichton.

Honorary pallbearers will be the Rev. Dr. James W. Dale, Bill Coppedge, Mark Mayfield, Eric Larson, Stuart McGregor, John Blank, Bob Duncan, Will Satterwhite, Daryl Hanvy, Suzy Baxter, Dr. Steve Simmons, the staff of Life Care Center of Columbia, especially the ASU, and the Elders and Deacons of First Presbyterian Church.

The family asks that you remember Nancy with a memorial instead of flowers. Memorials may be sent to First Presbyterian Church Education Fund, 801 S. High St., Columbia, TN 38401 or Montreat Conference Center, P.O. Box 969, Montreat, N.C. 28758.

Condolences may be offered online at www.oakesandnichols.com.