Nancy Necessary Pridemore

A Legacy Of Love

NANCY NECESSARY PRIDEMORE was born in Clinchport, Virginia to Henry and Georgia Necessary. Throughout her lifetime, she always had a great sense of humor, a love of people and a passion for education. Her small 5'0" frame did not reflect her boundless energy and the giant impact she would leave on her church and the community.

Nancy received three higher education degrees from Virginia Intermont College, Radford University, and Northwestern University. She became a high school teacher with a special flare for English, drama and speech. She taught at Dobyns-Bennett High School for 39 years, retiring in 1985. Nancy married Howard Pridemore in 1956. They made their home in Duffield. Nancy was always very active in the church serving as Sunday School Superintendent at both Clinchport and Three Bells United Methodist Churches for a combined 50 years.

Besides her dynamic impact as a teacher, where she influenced countless hundreds of students, she somehow found time to serve others throughout the community. She was a Meals-on-Wheels volunteer, the founding force behind the Renaissance Players drama group, and was active in all types of community arts. Nancy was also generous, privately providing funds for many young people to continue their education.

Back in 1995, Nancy first drafted an estate plan and had her attorney contact the Foundation to confirm some appropriate wording. She modified her plan over time, but when she passed away on April 4, 2003, her final plan provided for gifts to support scholarships at Hiwassee College and Virginia Intermont College and also established three endowments in the Holston Conference Foundation. THE NANCY AND HOWARD PRIDEMORE FUND will mainly support maintenance and repairs at Three Bells United Methodist Church. The other two will provide college scholarships for students from Rye Cove and Dobyns-Bennett High Schools. These three funds totaling over $225,000 will distribute 90% of their earnings for their stated purposes, while 10% will be reinvested to keep the funds growing. The first distribution will be made in early 2007. Nancy is missed dearly by all who knew her, but her love and generosity will be felt forever through the life she lived and endowed funds she left behind. Call if we can help you shape your legacy.