Anna Bell Nance, Mechanicsville Icon, died at 102
KNOXVILLE, TN – Anna Bell Branner Nance was called home on April 2, 2020. She was born on August 14, 1917, in Corryton, Tennessee to the late William and Mary Brabson Branner.
She attended Sunrise Elementary School and graduated with honors in the 1937 class at Austin High School as a member of the Honors Society. She is a graduate of the 1941 class of Knoxville College.
Nance was a dedicated member of Clinton Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, where she served as a Deaconess, Missionary, and longtime member of the Helen Spurgeon Circle. As the oldest living member, she was the honorary mother of Clinton Chapel A.M.E. Zion church.
In 1938, she married (the late) Leon Nance with whom she had two children. They were married for fifty-six years. During their marriage, they owned and operated many businesses in the Mechanicsville Knoxville African-American community. Most notably the Delta Hotel and Standard Electric and Cable Company.
She found comfort in prayer and loved flowers, gardening, and cooking for family and friends. In 2013, she was honored as the oldest living descendant of the late Isaac Dockery of Sevierville, Tennessee. His brick mason company contributed to building many buildings throughout the South after the Civil War.
She was preceded in death by husband, Leon Nance; parents William and Mary Brabson Branner; brothers, William Pearson Branner (Pig), Glasco (Jack) Branner, Robert Branner; sisters, Marie Crippen and Bernie Mae Miller; and devoted stepson, Dr. Everette Nance.
She is survived by loving and devoted children, Alfred Nance of Knoxville; daughter Veronica Nance-Mitchell (Leroy), Alexandria, VA; grandchildren; Wesley and Courtney Mitchell; devoted nephew Donald Miller, devoted nieces Tammy Locke, Wilma Branner Davis, Gloria Mason Ragin, Terry Locke Wade Strickland; devoted daughter-in-law Beverly Henry Nance; and numerous other devoted nieces and nephews, and a host of other loving relatives and friends.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangement entrusted to Unity Mortuary.
