Nancy Robertson

Nancy (Nan) Lee Hill Robertson, age 89, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2021 at Spartanburg Regional Hospice House. Nancy was born on May 1, 1932, in Pulaski, TN to the late William Lawson Hill, Sr., and Birdie Lee Roberts Hill. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 63 years, William Wallace Robertson; sister, Mildred Jean Hill; brother, William Lawson Hill, Jr. (Hazel Gregory Hill) of Nashville, TN, and sister-in-law, Mary Eleanor Robertson Granstaff.

Born during the Great Depression, Nancy lost her mom and sister at age 6, resulting in her developing a strong character and becoming a woman of great faith. Nancy was then raised by her loving relatives, her grandparents, Clark and Sophie Hill, her great uncle and aunt, Jess and Ada Hill, foster parents, Orville and Mary Jane Patton and a dear cousin, Jewell Sparks, all of the Middle Tennessee area.

Nancy attended Watertown High School in Watertown, TN where she was a cheerleader and played basketball, with her love for physical education beginning during these years. She also met her “husband to be” Wallace, while in high school, but he was two years her senior and their paths took them in different directions for the next decade.

Nancy attended Middle Tennessee State University where she majored in Science, but it was her minor in Physical Education that was her true love and gift. She taught PE at South Cobb High in Austell, GA for four years before she reconnected with the love of her life while doing graduate work back at MTSU. Nancy and Wallace were married in 1957 and employment opportunities took them to Mableton, GA, Huntsville AL and finally to Spartanburg, SC in 1970 with her husband accepting a position at Beverage-Air. Nancy was innovative by nature. While in Alabama, she begin the first PE program at Westlawn Junior High in Huntsville and volunteered teaching PE at Chapman Elem School, where her daughters attended. Upon arrival in Spartanburg, she began volunteering her time in PE at Woodland Heights Elementary from 1970-1974. When District Six began their elementary PE program for all schools, Nancy was instrumental in developing the elementary P.E. curriculum for District 6 and was asked to be the lead PE teacher as well as to teach K-2nd grade PE at Woodland Heights and Westview Elementary Schools. The elementary PE teachers were Nancy’s second family, and she remained in touch with all of them throughout the years since retirement in 1986. She and her students’ favorite activities included the 3rd Grade Jump Roping contest, parachute activities and “Chicken Fat” warm up exercises. Nancy was voted the 1984 recipient of the South Carolina Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Elementary Level Award for Teaching Excellence.

Nancy was a lifelong Methodist and attended Bethel UMC where she was an active member for 50 years. She was active in the United Methodist Women, Circle Chairman, and founder of Circle 7, Preschool Coordinator, Education Committee chairman, and H. F. Chreitzburg Sunday School teacher for over 25 years.

Nancy and her husband took many wonderful trips while he was working for Beverage Air, but a personal favorite was their trip to the Holy Land. Nancy made friends easily wherever she traveled and considered you a friend for life. Nancy was a caregiver by nature and was always doing something kind for a friend, a church member, or a neighbor in need. She loved entertaining her family, close friends and especially loved when her grandchildren came to visit.

Nancy’s pastimes included her love for flower and vegetable gardening, genealogy research of her mother’s family and many enjoyable years of attending Clemson football games with her family and friends.

Nancy is survived by her two daughters, Debbie Roberson Locke (Joe) of Spartanburg and Jeannie Robertson Metzger (Bill) of Columbia, SC; four grandchildren, Jordan Lee Locke Shurburtt (Jonathan) of Spartanburg, Daniel Joseph Locke (Meredith) of Roswell GA, William Lee Metzger of Charleston, SC, and Christopher Hill Metzger of Washington DC, three precious great-granddaughters, Rylan Shurburtt, Brooklyn Shurburtt and Harper Locke, and two sisters-in-law, Bertie Robertson Harrison (Thermon) of Alexandria TN and Marjorie Robertson Lanius (Charles) of Lebanon TN.

The family would like to thank Mrs. Robertson’s special caregivers from Comfort Keepers, especially Mrs. Wendi Stevens and Mrs. Brenda Williams. Also, many thanks to the caring staff at Woodland Place that has been home for the past two years.

Visitation for Nancy will be held on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at 1:00 – 2:15 PM in the Bethel United Methodist Church Sanctuary, 235 S. Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306. A Celebration of Life Service will immediately follow at 2:30 PM, conducted by The Rev. David E. Nichols and The Rev. Cameron Y. Treece. A private graveside service will be held with the family in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bethel United Methodist Church, 245 S. Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306.

Floyd’s North Church Street Chapel