Nancy McDonald Thomas, 87, of Odum, Ga. passed away on Saturday, September 30, 2023.  She was born on December 6, 1935 to Zelma and Kelcy McDonald in Columbus, Ga. Following the death of her father during WWII, Zelma moved Nancy and her sister, Pat, to Wayne County to be closer to family in the Oglethorpe Community. It was during this time that Zelma met and married Foster Anderson and they reared Nancy and Pat on O'Quinn Loop in Odum. Nancy graduated from Jesup High School in 1953, where she was captain of the cheerleading team and a member of the award-winning Glee Club. She was voted "Best Looking" and "Best All Around" in the Senior Superlatives. She then married Glenn Thomas, Jr. and attended Georgia Teacher's College until she decided to become a full-time homemaker to their 4 children who were all reared in Jesup. Following the birth of her 4th child, she decided to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. Nancy commuted to Brunswick Junior College and obtained her Associate of Nursing Degree in 1971, graduating as Salutatorian.  Though she enjoyed nursing, her children were her first love and priority. She was their rock, mentor and inspiration. During her formidable years in Jesup, Nancy was an avid Bridge player, playing in numerous Bridge clubs with her cherished friends. She and Ann Donaldson took it to another level by traveling the Southeast for Duplicate Bridge Tournaments. She shared her love of card playing with her children and grandchildren. Nancy also loved her time with the Women's Golf Association at the Pine Forest Country Club. She served as Past President of the Jesup Jaycettes and as an officer of the Jesup Shrine Club Auxiliary. In 2008, Nancy married her 1953 classmate, Vance Duncan, and they spent their sunset years back on Nancy's homeplace on O'Quinn Loop. There they enjoyed the peacefulness of the country while managing her pine tree farm. They were passionate about the Atlanta Braves and the Georgia Bulldogs. They looked forward to their evening sunset golf cart rides often while singing at the top of their lungs. They worshipped at Friendship Baptist Church and Nancy loved the Lord and was a faithful servant. She couldn't sing a hymn or say a prayer without tearing up. You rarely saw Nancy without a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eyes. Her effervescent personality was her hallmark. Her husband, Vance preceded her in death along with her parents, Zelma and Foster Anderson; sister, Pat Faulk and her beloved first born, Bo Thomas.

Survivors are her son, Jay (Susan) Thomas of Marietta; daughters, Terri (Robert) Aitkens of Atlanta and Charlotte (David) Hoover of Crawfordville, Fla.; daughter-in-love, Patsy Thomas of Jesup; 8 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren; several great grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 2 PM Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at Friendship Baptist Church with Pastor Kevin Johnson officiating. Interment will follow in the Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be her grandsons.

Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545.

The family would like to thank all of the caring employees at the At Home Senior Living, especially Nancy's close friend, Yolanda Clinton along with the ICU nurse, Jeffrey Griffis for his special care and cheery disposition during her final days.

Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup is in charge of arrangements.