Nancy Kirstein Race
August 10, 1943 ~ August 22, 2011
Resided in:
Fairview, NC
Nancy Kirstein Race, of Fairview, NC passed away on Monday, August 22, 2011, after battling COPD for the past six years. She was 68 years old.
Nancy was born August 10, 1943, the daughter of the late Lewis and Mollie Kirstein of Fairview. A 1962 graduate of A.C. Reynolds High School, she was well known for her outstanding basketball skills, having been chosen as an all county player in her senior year.
Nancy had worked in sales at Tyson's Furniture in Black Mountain the last 25 years. Furniture sales was truly her calling and she thoroughly enjoyed her years at Tyson's.
She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Owen Race; two sons, Mark Race and his fiancée Shannon Rodriquez and grandchildren Trevor and Emily of Fort Worth, TX; son, Thomas Race and his wife Debbie and grandchildren Brandon and Brittany of Fairview. Preceding Nancy in death is her brother, Lewis "Dink" Kirstein. Surviving are her brothers, Jim Kirstein of Scottsboro, AL, Coy Kirstein of Fairview and Tom Kirstein of Bulls Gap TN; two sisters, Margaret Roberts and Frankie Smith of Fairview; and a number of nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be held Saturday, August 27, at 11 AM at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church of which she was a member. The Revs. Roy Kilby and Ron Roberts will officiate.
Burial will be in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends Friday from 7 – 8:30 PM at Groce Funeral Home, Tunnel Road.
Memorials may be made to Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, PO Box 8195, Asheville, NC 28814.
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My deepest sympathy to the Kirstein family in Nancy’s passing. My wife and I have purchased several pieces of furniture from Nancy at Tysons over the years. She was a true professional. The Huntley and Kirstein families have been close for years, dating back to the days of our parents > truly the Greatest Generation. Once again, my deepest personal regards. Gerry Huntley
Nancy was like a second mom to me as a small girl. I lived just a house away and played daily with Mark and Tommy. I was always over playing with Tonka trucks, climbing trees, playing ghost in the graveyard or fighting with those dang boys if we got too bored. Nancy was always there screaming at us kids to knock it off,(even is those boys were the trouble makers, especially the big one, lol) Nancy also made the best peanut butter and jelly sandwich on Harding Road. I think I ate at their house more than my own. I truly loved her, she always hugged and loved up on me and made me feel special. I believed I was the daughter she never had, and by far her favorite neighbor kid :). The Race family unfortunately left our neighborhood when I was 8. I missed them all so much over the years. But I was so happy Nancy and Owen made a trip back up to the Falls a couple of years back. I was able to see and visit with them both and and snap a few pictures. She was truly a sweet lady, who meant the world to so many. My heart and prayers go out to Owen, Mark and Tommy. Love ya’s, Kelly
My deepest sympathy to the Kirstein family in Nancy’s passing. We were class mates at ACR.
My heartfelt sympathy to the Race family on the loss of Nancy, their much loved wife, mother and grandmother.
My thoughts and prayers are with Owen, Mark and Tommy, and their families. Nancy’s passing leaves a vacancy that can’t be filled on Earth, but we know she is waiting in Heaven for a big reunion! Love, peace/ marilyn
Owen,
You have our deepest sympathy.
Glenn
Owen, Mark, and Tommy and families,
So saddened by this news. Our heart filled sympathy to you all. May memories and God’s grace comfort you during these days and into the future.
Owen, Mark and Tommy
Rog and I are so very sorry for the loss of an old and great friend. We will never forget the fun times we used to have. Nancy and I used to talk on the phone until the wee hours when the kids were all very young and in bed. I’ll never forget the story about her Mom pickling her brother’s toes when he had an accident with the lawn mower!!! We laughed until we cried.
We have missed you all over the years and realize how lucky we were that she was in our life. I know you will miss her dearly and we will hold you all in our hearts. God Bless.
Thank you all for your kind words. I know to all of you she was a dear friend. To me, she was MOM. It is so hard to imagine that anything will ever take this pain away that I am feeling now. The only comfort in all of this is knowing that I will see her again one day. She was and will always be a very special lady who I will miss dearly and think about every minute of every day until we see each other again. I love you, Mom, with all of my heart and I always will.
Gerry Huntley (Reynolds High School Class of 1965)
Dearest Owen and Family, I am honored to have known Nancy and your family these last two years. She was a kind, bright, loving woman and she inspired me with her optomistic attitude and courage. I pray you are all comforted by sweet memories and great expectations of seeing her again…dancing with The Lord.
Fondly and with my heartfelt sympathy,
Dianne Rule
Family,
My prayers are with you. I went to Fairview and Reynolds with her (12yrs). I bought furniture from her at Pearlman’s before it closed. Very sweet lady.
Owen,
So sorry to hear of your loss. I will be praying for God’s peace and comfort to uphold you now and in the coming months. You and Nancy held and still hold a dear part in my life. You two were dear friends! I will try to get in touch with you if your cell phone is current.
Bill Hendershot
(Bucky)
Ole Nance and I go way back. Approx 33 years! She was a hard working Salesperson. As much as she loved to sell, she loved talking about her kids and grandkids more. Owen you have stood by Nancy through all these years. She will be very much missed. God bless you all!
A friend always,
Danny Plemmons
Our deepest sympathies to the Kirstein family in Nancy’s passing. The Hill & Kirstein families have been ‘ Family’ for many years in Fairview, and date back to our parents. Ron & I have purchased furniture for our home for many years , from Nancy and have fond memories of those buys.
‘ You cannot pluck a rose all fragrant with dew, witthout a part of the fragrance remaining on you’.
Take Care & May God Bless the Race Family at this time.
Nancy & Ron Beck
Our deepest sympathy to all the family. You don’t know us, but we were her customers for many years at Tyson’s. She was a very special person, and we enjoyed working with her. She always treated us like old friends.
Owen,
This was bad news indeed, Carol and I send our sympathy and prayers.
Jim & Carol
Just want you and your family to know you are in our thoughts and prayers. We will be praying for you. Brian, Jill and Garrett Ponder