Nancy Wilkinson

Nancy Carroll Thomason Wilkinson, 89, of Lexington, NC, died Wednesday, January 26 from dementia at Piedmont Crossing Retirement Community in Thomasville.

A celebration of her life will be held 3pm Saturday, March 26 at First United Methodist Church.  The family will receive friends following the service.

Nancy was born on July 13, 1932, in Davidson County to Lloyd Arnold Thomason and Margaret Veigh Leonard Thomason.  Raised in a loving, vibrant family, Nancy attended the city public schools and graduated from Lexington Senior High in 1950.  She had fond memories working at the local Five and Dime stores and as a clerk in Lexington City Hall. She eventually retired after more than thirty happy years working as a teaching assistant in both Cecil and South Lexington Elementary Schools.  Nancy was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church where she was honored for having served as a soprano in the Chancel Choir for 56 years.

Nancy, a prize-winning soprano, was known throughout the area for her beautiful voice. She met her husband, Byron Webb Wilkinson, Jr of Maiden, NC, in the church choir. The couple, who married in 1955, performed together and separately for innumerable events and worship services throughout the area.

Known for her happy, dynamic, and unflappable spirit, while raising her two daughters, Nancy learned to swim as well as play tennis.  The latter became a passion, and one could often find her on the tennis courts.

Nancy is survived by daughter, Barbara Carroll Wilkinson of Alexandria, VA; sisters Mary Sue Leonard (Reid) of Salisbury, Peggy Jean Wegwart (Wayne) of Lexington, Helen Dare Perdue of Thomasville, and Cheri Murray (Pete) of Lexington; brother Harry Thomason (Elona) of North Chesterfield, VA; sister-in-law Flonnie Thomason; grandchildren, Colin Lewis (Carina) of Colorado Springs, CO, Andrew Lewis (Angela) of Durham, and Erik Asmus of Washington, DC; and great-grandson, Jacob Lewis of Durham.

Her husband Byron Webb Wilkinson, Jr and daughter Betsy Elliott Wilkinson Lewis preceded her in death as did her siblings and their spouses Dot Rainey (Bo), Tommy Thomason (Pat), and Jimmy Thomason, and Becky Clodfelter (Bill).

Memorial gifts may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Lexington, NC or the Lexington Choral Society.