Nancy Thompson Jolly's Obituary
Nancy Thompson Jolly, 85, died Friday, Aug. 4, 2023. She was born in Gastonia on March 11, 1938, the
daughter of the late Mary Bradley Thompson and Joseph Henry Thompson. She was a graduate of Frank
L. Ashley High School in Gastonia and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she received
a degree in primary education. Following graduation, she was a teacher in the Orange County Schools
and the Virginia Beach City Public Schools. She later did interim and substitute teaching assignments for
the Albemarle City Schools and Stanly County Schools.
For 28 years, Mrs. Jolly was a member of the City of Albemarle Planning Board, serving as its chairperson
for three years. She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Albemarle where she served
as a Deacon and was an integral part of the remodeling campaign for the church’s Educational Building
and for many years coordinated meals for church families following funerals. She was also active in the
Hawthorn Garden Club and the North Carolina Piedmont Orchid Society.
She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Dr. William Oscar Jolly, III; son William Oscar Jolly, IV, (Yvette)
of Charleston, SC; daughter Robin Jolly Hull (Spencer) of Chesapeake, Va.; son Benjamin Adams Jolly
(Elizabeth) of Albemarle; nephew Joseph Henry Thompson, III, (Jennifer) of Chapel Hill; sister Mary
Thompson Shayler (George) of Auburn, NY; eight grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. In
addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by sons Andrew Jolly and Timothy Jolly and brothers Joseph Henry Thompson, Jr., and Jerry Adams Thompson.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Aug. 12, at 2 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church in Albemarle. The family will receive friends at the church following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations to First Presbyterian Church Albemarle or to a charitable organization of the donor’s choice.
The family would like to thank Trinity Place in Albemarle for the care provided to Mrs. Jolly.
Stanly Funeral Home is serving the family.
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