Elbert Sidney Nance passed away Aug. 12, 2025, at the age of 104. Elbert was the son of Sidney Rainey and Ola Pearl Bramlett Nance. Elbert grew up on a farm just south of Paris in the Lowman Community. He was introduced to farm work at the age of seven. He knew what it was like to milk cows, hoe, plow, pick cotton, drive mules and a tractor.
After finishing the three-teacher school at Lowman, he entered Paris High School where he graduated in 1938, with honors. He played baseball and basketball. He finished Paris Junior College in 1940. He was given a job at PJC where he used that to pay his tuition.
Elbert worked for the Agriculture Adjustment Administration and Soil Conservation Service.
Pearl Harbor happened, and he volunteered and entered the U. S. Air Corps. He served as a Cryptographer. Elbert was trained in both British and American Codes. While serving with the British, he introduced them to the game of baseball. He served in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, and India. After his honorable discharge, he entered the University of Texas, graduating in August 1948, with a degree in Civil Engineering. In 1950, his company sent him to Marshall, Texas for a short job. That’s where he met the love of his life, Nancy Biard.
He was employed by Amoco Oil Company, now BP, for 36 years. He worked in Ft. Worth and the Houston offices. He was one of the engineers chosen by the Anchorage office to detect the best place for oil which would become the Alaskan Pipeline.
In 1951, he married Nancy, and two children were born, Terry Nance Barnett and Randy Nance. In 1985, Nancy and Elbert moved from Houston to Paris. He started his own business of engineering and surveying and at the same time was involved with some farming and ranching operations with his brother.
Family and church were the mainstream in Elbert’s life. Nancy introduced him to Disciples of Christ, which her ancestors founded. He immediately became active and held every responsible job in the church. Elbert and Nancy helped organize the Cypress Creek Christian Church in Spring, Texas in 1972.
In 1994, the First Christian Church of Paris named him Layman of the Year. Two years later he was named Layman of the Year for the Northeast Texas Area of Churches. Elbert loved to read and study theology. He loved to garden and liked to see the miracles take place.
Nancy and Elbert enjoyed playing golf, square dancing, and world travel. Randy, our son, was deceased in 1979. He was a senior at Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos majoring in agriculture.
The marriage of Terry and Mike Barnett brought an 18-month grandson, Ben, that helped to fill the void in his life. Randy Barnett came along and also filled the void in Elbert’s life. Randy got to spend a lot of time with him. They were playmates for many years.
In 2003, Elbert was inducted into the Paris Junior College Hall of Honor. Elbert and Nancy helped organize the Habitat for Humanity in Paris. Elbert volunteered his expertise as an engineer and surveyor as needed for many years.
He enjoyed seeing Randy and Ben having families. His great grandchildren, Ella, Wyatt, Harper, and Brooks were the joy of his life.
He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Nancy Biard Nance. A daughter, Terry and husband Mike, two grandsons, Randy and Megan and Ben and Kandace. Great grandchildren, Ella, Wyatt, Harper, and Brooks Barnett. Nieces, Debe Wentworth and Deborah Lightfoot and nephews, Britt Scott, Philip Lamb, and Warren Lee Cooper. Along with many beloved great and great great nieces and nephews and a brother-in-law, Charles Heald.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Randy Nance, four siblings, a sister-in-law, Carolyn Heald, a nephew, Garland Lamb and a niece, Peggy Cooper.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Paris Habitat.
The family would like to thank Springlake Assisted Living for three good years.
Bright-Holland Funeral Home has scheduled a private family graveside on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, at Meadowbrook Gardens with Rev. Chad Lamb officiating. A celebration of Elbert’s life will be held from 1 – 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23rd at Springlake Assisted Living, 750 N. Collegiate Dr., Paris, TX 75460.
To leave a message or tribute for the family please visit www.brighthollandfuneralhome.com
