Nancy Haire Coram of Newport News, Virginia (83) exchanged her rugged cross for a crown (tiara) on September 6, 2024.  She passed away peacefully in her daughter's home in Smithfield, Virginia surrounded by family and friends.  Nancy was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mama, grandma, granny, and friend.  To cherish her memory, she leaves behind her daughters, Cheryl Peterson Spivey and her husband Anthony T. (Andy) of Smithfield, and Cynthia Peterson Earl and her husband Henry S. III (Sammy) of Newport News; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.  Her grandchildren are: Anthony T. Spivey Jr. (Andy Jr.), his wife Trisha and their sons Hunter and Brayden of Smithfield; Henry S. Earl IV (Samuel), his wife Heather and their daughters Annabelle and Amelia of Chesterfield, Virginia; James M. Earl and his wife Errin of Queens, New York; Amanda R. Soldan, her husband Andrew and their son Kayden (due 1/1/25) of Newport News.

Nancy was born Nancy Ellen Haire to Alline Coats and Frank Roxboro Haire in Raleigh, North Carolina.  She grew up in Erwin and Dunn, North Carolina and Newport News.  After graduating from Newport News High School, she worked at the Daily Press newspaper office.  As a military wife, she lived in Colorado Springs, Colorado for a short while; and then returned to Newport News and the Daily Press, where she worked as a librarian until retirement.  She later worked for Boulevard Cleaners in Newport News, where she met her best friend Cherryl Bragg and Cherryl's sister Gina.  No matter where she lived or worked, Nancy made lifelong friends.

Nancy was a fun-loving character.  She liked to joke and tease, and loved to make people laugh.  She was especially fond of her extended families: the Spiveys, the Earls, the Bartkus, and the Richardsons.  She was a kid at heart; her grandchildren, and even her great-grandchildren fondly remember playing on the floor with Granny.  She was also generous to a fault, and loved shopping for gifts to give to everyone she knew.  She thoroughly spoiled her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, grandpets, and the many stray cats she rescued during her lifetime.   Her most recent joy in life came when she rededicated her life to God at Parkview Baptist Church in Newport News.

There are so many people that we would like to thank for their loving, compassionate care of our beloved Mama, including her Parkview Baptist Church family, Dr. Dwight Herbert and his staff, and Riverside Hospice Care (especially Nurse Debbie and Chaplain Deedra).

A Celebration of  Life Service will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, September 21, 2024 in the chapel of Parkview Baptist Church, 604 Hilton Boulevard, Newport News. Please plan to stay and share some of Mama's favorite desserts immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Jason Ray Foundation ( www.jasonray.org ) or the Peninsula S.P.C.A. ( www.peninsulaspca.org ).