Nancy Jean Schmidt

April 15, 1960 ~ March 1, 2018
Resided in:
Mars Hill, NC
On Thursday, March 1st, Nancy Jean Chamberlain Schmidt went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Nancy was preceded in death by her father, Willis H. Chamberlain. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Terry R. Schmidt; son, Jake (Allison) Schmidt; daughter, Jennifer Hampson; grandchildren, Maddie and Derek Hampson; mother, Julia Chamberlain; brothers, Jim Chamberlain, Larry Chamberlain (Jeanne), Jerry Chamberlain, and Steve Chamberlain; sisters, Joyce Parsons (Ed), Alice Chidester (Scott), Mary Reiber (Dusty), and Diane Washburn (Tim); and numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
Nancy loved to horseback ride, hike, paint in water colors, scuba dive, but her greatest passion was to share the love of Christ with her husband through short term medical missions with Christians for World Wide Evangelism (CWE). They brought needed medical and dental care to many different countries, including Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Brazil (on the Amazon river), and Bolivia, Togo and Cameroon in West Africa.
Please come and celebrate Nancy's life at New Life Community Church, 1417 Riverside Dr., Asheville, NC 28804, on Friday, March 9th, with visitation from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, with the service starting at 12:00 pm. Pastor Ken Whitten will officiate.
The family expresses their thanks and appreciation to the staff of the CarePartners Solace Center.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to CWE (https://www.cwe-missions.org/) or Hope Chest for Women, P.O. Box 5294, Asheville, NC 28813 Attn: Director.
Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family.
Prayers and condolences for the family.
Terry, I can’t begin to think of words to convey my sympathy to you and the rest of the family. Nancy was a light that shone bright, and in the brief time we knew you when you were in Illinois, she was a joy to know. I will never forget many conversations with her in Judy’s condo in Heather Ridge after a small group meeting (and lots of bubbly laughter). And I was just talking about her a few weeks ago with our small group who are just beginning a study through ‘Desiring God’. I will never forget her joyful, yet slightly confused voice repeating ‘It’s simple!’ when we would all struggle through a difficult passage from that book years ago. I still have some ‘Nancy hand me downs’ that she gave me when you moved from Illinois to Florida. ‘I won’t need sweaters and boots!’ And I’ll never forget the kindness you and she and Harmons showed Jim and I during a terrible time in our lives when you brought us to your home in Florida for some fun, together time and we all went to Disneyworld. That was such a profound example of Christian love shown to two very hurting people and we continue to be so grateful. We’ll be praying for you in the coming weeks and months. I don’t want to give you trite words of comfort….I don’t have any. But I believe, as I know Nancy did, in the God of all comfort and peace. And I pray His peace and comfort for you as you grieve and miss her. Thankfully, we know that joy comes in the morning and we trust and hold on to that even in the worst of times. You are loved!
A woman after God’s own heart. Always saw the silver lining, lit up the room when she entered. Privileged to have served in the mission field with her. My prayers for you Terry and family. ❤️
(Cross posted on Facebook) For a very important period of time in my life, Nancy Schmidt was one of my best friends. We attended church together, went on two mission trips together (Guatemala and Ecuador), took two vacations together (Puerto Vallarta and Bonaire with Dave and Keitt Mobile). Terry and Nancy were ‘Uncle’? and ‘Aunt’? to my daughter, Katelynn, and had her for sleepovers several times, just for fun. Nancy hosted my baby shower when I was pregnant with ClaireAnna, (an act of selflessness few would understand). I hosted Nancy’s 40th birthday party. We were close. Then she moved to Florida and I moved to Arkansas. I only saw her twice after that. Once was a joint vacation with Jim and Cheryl Stewart. We all went to Magic Kingdom together and had a wonderful time of refreshing and renewing of our friendships. I only talked to Nancy a handful of times during the last 10 years, a fact I deeply regret. But I never stopped thinking of her as a best friend. Because she was. The Best. Nancy was Grace personified. She was a woman of faith, kindness, and unconditional love. Nancy was elegant. And beautiful. Nancy Jean Schmidt, what a blessing it was to have had you in my life, even if only for too short a time. I am so glad you are now where you belong! Praise God!! I have missed you since our lives changed and separated, and I’ll continue to miss you till I see you again in Heaven. Terry, I’ve missed you too, brother, so much. We are so sorry for your loss. How heartbreaking for any husband to lose a dear wife. But to lose Nancy’?.we all know that she was rare and special and that heartbreaking is not a big enough word. You two shared an exemplary and purposeful life. What an honor to her it will be as you continue on, healing others in the name of Jesus and sharing the Good News. She will be so proud of you, as she always was! I can just see that look on her face! Our prayers and love are with you Terry. May God keep you especially close during this time and overwhelm you with His peace and comfort. We love you, Terry, still and always.
I thank God for allowing Donna and I to know Nancy and to fellowship in the work of CWE ministry. She added a brightness to the room even when she was not feeling well. What an ‘Out of the box thinker’? she was. She would always have new ideas of how something could be done when it came to missions.
I would have loved to have seen her welcoming committee in heaven. We are praying for the family. She will be missed but we will see her again.
I hope that our Lord brings you Dr. Terry and your family the much-needed peace during this sad time. My condolences to you and your family.
I am honored and blessed to have known Nancy Schmidt. She was truly a blessing in my life and I will miss her. I remember when she took me with her to ride horses and I had so much fun with her. She was very positive and hopeful! She is with the Lord and no more pain!! Prayers and fond memories are what we have to remember our dearly departed. My most heartfelt condolences. Remembering her wonderful and gentle soul will forever remain in our hearts. May she rest in peace! May our Lord bless and comfort you and your family during this time of grief. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Dr. Schmidt and family: Please accept my condolences on your loss. May your faith and your wonderful memories keep you strong during this difficult time.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time.
Terry…mixed emotions about Nancy’s home going…sorry to hear that she is gone but rejoice that she is free from suffering and at home with the Father…..we have so many fond memories of your time in Lutz and IBC….you are in our prayers…..
Dr. Schmidt and family, You are in my thoughts and prayers during this time. I am so sorry for your loss.
Nancy was convinced that heaven is far more glorious than anything we can possibly imagine right now, and she looked forward not only to its wonder and peace, but also to the joy of being reunited with those who have gone there before her.
The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 13:12 (ESV) – For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
May the Lord wrap HIS arms around Terry, his family, and friends as they grieve their loss, and also celebrate Nancy’s promotion.
Nancy was a special friend. The love for her dogs and horses put us on the path of our friendship. I will always remember our horseback ride in Pisgah. Her faith, strength and love always encouraged me to be a humble and thankful person. I can imagine her bright smile as she was lifted into the arms of our heavenly Father and welcomed home. Condolences to Dr. Schmidt and her family. Be gentle with yourselves during this time. Love and prayers-Sherry
Dr. Schmidt and family,
I can only imagine the kind of joy this special woman brought to your life. I hope your memories of her and her legacy of evangelism bring you great comfort in these hard times. So very sorry for your loss but thankful that this is truly not the end of her story.
Terry, I cannot think of the words that would relieve your sadness or the loss that you have experienced! Nancy was a wonderful lady as you so well know. I only had the brief mission trip with you and Nancy in Cameroon, August 2016, to get to know her. Experiencing her joy, her friendliness, indeed her very countenance, at all times was such a refreshing and enjoyable opportunity. Her loss is certainly heaven’s gain. For folks such as me, even a short-term meeting with her produced memories for a life-time. One more reason for us to look forward to making it to heaven! I wish that I could make it to her service tomorrow. I will be thinking about you and praying for you! When we get to the very bottom and have nothing left, that is where we will find God’s hands underneath us holding us up! May God continue to richly bless you and keep you.
Terry I am very sorry for your loss. I will miss her smiling face she was a beautiful soul. She will be missed. We love you have peace knowing she is with our heavenly father.
my heart is broke with the loss of missing her here, her sweet ever smiling face and always joyous countenance……each time I would spy her in the foyer at church I always smiled big just to see her…..she was my rock taking me on my first mission trip to Togo, redeemed and changed my life…..our home here now has a huge void we must fill with memories and laughter mixed with our tears……..I ache for the loss of her for all her family and friends……..and pray comfort…..carol ann
Dr. Schmidt and Family, my thoughts and prayers are with you.