Nancy Kathleen Short Cannada, 91 of Paris, passed from this life to the next, on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at Spring Lake Assisted Living, surrounded by her family and loved ones.
A funeral service has been set for Friday, June 28, 2024 at 10:00 AM at First United Methodist with Arvin Starrett officiating. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home.
Nancy was born on December 29, 1932 in Paris, Texas to R.E. and Lydia Aden Short. She graduated from Paris High School in 1950. She married M C Cannada, Jr. on June 2, 1951. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Paris.
Nancy was well known for being an excellent cook. Her specialty was making divinity, frying steak and making gravy. She often taught people how to make her divinity. Everyone was always welcome at her table. One of her proudest accomplishments was selling a Crisco can of her divinity for $2600, at the Calvary Methodist Church Lord’s Acre.
She was raised in Paris in a two bathroom house. When they married they moved to a four room house with only an outdoor toilet in Howland. The area farmers and ranchers took bets on how many months she would stay. She fooled them all. After M C got sick in 1970, Nancy could be seen driving a grain truck, feeding cows, delivering baby calves or driving a tractor. Later, she worked as a hostess at the Fish Fry, cleaned houses, sold hair supplies and was a guard at Kimberly-Clark for 19 years. The job she enjoyed most was being a caregiver. Her kids finally insisted that she retire when she was 80 years old.
Nancy was always doing things for her husband, kids and others. She and Bessie McCoin became Cub Scout leaders, so Monty and Harvey could be in Cub Scouts. Her honors were the Honorary FFA State Farmer, Red River Valley Fair Presidents Distinguished Service Award 1968, 1980 4-H Outstanding Service Award, Honorary Chapter FFA Farmer Award.
Nancy is survived by her children, Terri Darnell and husband Jim of Amherst, Sherry Bailey of Paris, Tammy Moss of Howland, Monty Cannada of Howland; grandchildren, Amanda Homann and husband Chris of Jacksonville, Texas, April Desabrais and husband Danny of Southlake, J.C. Darnell and wife Juli Ann of Paris, Casey Moss of Howland, Matthew Cannada and wife Ali of Howland, Sloan Moss and wife Alysa of Howland; 11 great-grandchildren with 1 on the way.
She was preceded in death 25 years ago by her husband , M C; parents; sister, Carolyn Short Hall; son-in-law, David Moss; in-laws, Melford and Edna Cannada.
Serving as Pallbearers will be Bobby George, J.C. Darnell, Matthew Cannada, Sloan Moss, Danny Desabrais, and Chris Homann. Honorary Pallbearers will be Clint Campbell, Chris Taylor, and William Wood.
The family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Spring Lake Assisted Living, Chambers Home Health and Hospice, other Spring Lake residents, family and friends for having provided such a loving environment for mother and us during the past 10 months. These individuals provided love and support during an extremely difficult time. Words cannot express how much we appreciate you all. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children.
Online condolences may be sent to the Cannada family by visiting www.fry-gibbs.com
