James Willie Nance, “Jay” was born to the late Ed Turner (Tone) Nance Sr. and Dora Gilchrist Nance on January 15, 1939. He attended the Dillon County Public School System and lived in Lake View, South Carolina his entire life. He was one of four children. His sister: Thomasina Nance Holliday and brother: Ernest Gilchrist preceded him in death. He enjoyed listening to TV ministries, especially, Pastors Charles Stanley and David Jermiah and said he accepted the Lord into his life while on this journey, and was baptized in Jessup, Maryland. He loved when his family came home to visit in addition to traveling to Myrtle Beach enjoying the time spent with them. He also enjoyed traveling to Maryland to visit family. However, he always had a one-way ticket so when it was time to return home, there would not be a problem with getting a train back home.

Jay worked in several occupations during his life and developed a lasting friendship with Mr. Grady Flowers and family, traveling with them to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina from time to time. Although he held other occupations, he discovered his passion when he began landscaping and gardening and worked in the yards of many residents of Lake View. He loved to plant various types of flowers and bushes and watch them grow. Everyone who knew him knew of this great passion. During planting season, you could ride pass his house and see him outside working in his yard. He often spoke of the various designs and ideas he had to improve his customers’ yards and/or lawns. As his health began to decline, he realized he was no longer able to work in his passion. He was happy about moving to Thornes Retirement Home and spent a brief stay there. He also spent a brief time in rehab at Sunny Acres, and looked forward to returning to Thornes. However, he was called to eternal rest on Sunday, January 21, 2018 in McLeod Medical Center, Dillon, South Carolina.

Jay leaves to cherish his memory ~ his son: Thomas Nance; brother: Elder Ed Turner Nance of Maryland; nieces: Pastor Annie Grace Nance-Roscoe (Bishop Howard Roscoe) of Maryland, Lavern Holliday of SC; Tramaine Davis, Tryphena Roscoe, Zanaria Roscoe, Asia Holliday, Adsia Holliday, and Paris Holliday of MD; nephews: Pastor Terry Holliday, Olivie Holliday and Fernando Holliday of MD, Dayton Nance, Razaa Roscoe and Nahshon Roscoe of MD; other great nieces and nephews; a few special childhood friends: Cartez Johnson and Flossie Johnson; a special cousin: Brenda Arnette and a host of other relatives and friends. He will be missed by all.