Nancy Harden Dotson

Nancy Harden Dotson, of Hendersonville, North Carolina, left her earthly home for her heavenly one on the evening of January 19th, 2022. A native of Hendersonville, and the daughter of the late George Harden and Charlotte O’Neal McCall, she was born March 28th, 1933.

In addition to her parents, Nancy was preceded in death by brothers Broadus and Jeral (Maxine) Harden. Left to honor her memory are her husband of 67 years, Wilburn “Wib” Dotson, son Rothey Dotson (Christine), daughter Daphne Pressley (Jabbo), grandchildren Sara Schumacher (Jared), Katie Gaddy (Chris), Ethan Pressley (Natalie), Lauren Azelton (Derrick), and great-grandchildren Paxton, Miles, Kennedy, Ben, and Emersyn. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews, including her devoted until the end nephew, Larry Harden (Becky).

Known for her fierce work ethic and keen financial skills, Nancy retired from the Henderson County Board of Education in 1992. A survivor of quintuple open-heart bypass surgery just one year later, Nancy refused to slow down as she spent the next several years as the integral matriarch of her grandchildren’s lives. Never one to sit still in her retirement, Nancy was a dedicated member of Hendersonville First Baptist Church, where she spent many years volunteering her time in various roles.

Although Nancy had the ability to command any room she stepped into, she was affectionately known by those who loved her most as “Nana.” A lover of all things classical music, and especially the Hendersonville Symphony, Nancy never missed an opportunity to teach those around her about the importance of music. As Nana, she invested tremendously in her grandchildren with music lessons, always bringing one or two along to various concerts. And although she never sang too loudly, her beautiful alto voice and flourishing piano skills were where she shown most brightly.

What Nancy loved most was her family. She took great pride in cooking for those around her, always making sure there was plenty to eat and that it was well done. Her strawberry jelly was the sweetest, her homemade mac and cheese the cheesiest, but none could compare to her bread-slinging, corn-shucking, and green bean-peeling abilities. There was never a dull moment with Nancy around, and with a contagious laugh that few could resist, there was fun to be had by all. Always the proponent of learning, she never hesitated to share her tips, tricks, recipes, and old-timey sayings.

Nancy, or Nana as she is known to us, will be greatly missed by all. She was a fierce light in this world, which is now a little bit dimmer without her in it. As she would sing, “This world is not my home, I’m just a-passing through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. The Angels beckon me from Heaven’s open door, and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.”

At her request, Nancy will be laid to rest with a private burial at Oakdale Cemetery, conducted by family friend, Reverend Steve Starling.

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian in Arden is assisting Nancy’s family through this time.