Nancy Carson

Nancy Moore Carson was born in Belmont, NC, in 1933, the youngest of seven children born to Robert and Dolly Carson. She died in her summer home in Brevard, NC, on August 23, 2017. She is survived by one sister, Katherine C. Pitts, niece Amy Pitts, nephew Robert Pitts and his wife Brenda - all of Raleigh, NC; as well as niece Mary Jo Wilder of Zebulon, NC; and several grandnieces and grandnephews.

Nancy began her undergraduate degree at Brevard College in Brevard, NC, and completed it at Limestone College in Gaffney, SC. She earned her Master's Degree at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.

Nancy Carson moved to Florida in 1957 to teach physical education at Walker Junior High School in Bradenton, Manatee County. She was later appointed Dean of Girls and then Assistant Principal at Manatee High School. In 1978 she was appointed the first principal of Martha B. King Middle School - the first female principal of a secondary school in Manatee County. She held that position until she retired in 1995, after 38 years of service to Manatee County schools. As a respected and dedicated educator, she was loved and supported by her students, staff, and colleagues.

After retirement Nancy divided her time between her beloved Anna Maria Island residence and her summer home in
Brevard. In each location she found pleasure and fulfillment in her volunteer activities. She was an active member of Roser Memorial Community Church in Anna Maria, often volunteering in the Thrift Shop, the Food Bank, and the service of holiday meals at the church. In Brevard she was a member of First United Methodist Church and a faithful volunteer for SAFE, an organization that provides shelter and assistance for victims of domestic and sexual violence, and for the Transylvania Regional Hospital. A supporter of animal welfare, she was a devoted dog owner throughout her adult life. She was also a longtime member of American Association of University Women, Delta Kappa Gamma and Manatee County Retired Educators.

Nancy always loved sports - as a coach, a competitor, and a spectator. In her early years of teaching, she coached girls basketball. For several years she was an avid tennis player, sometimes competing in local tournaments. As a lifelong member of the Bradenton Runner's Club, she finished many 5K and longer runs, often winning for her age group. Her love for golf kept her playing regularly with friends in Florida and in a golf league at Connestee Falls in Brevard. In later years she competed in the Senior Games, playing table tennis and horseshoes.

Nancy will be greatly missed by her family and her many friends in North Carolina and in Florida.

A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church in Brevard on Thursday, August 31, 2017 at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, Nancy's family encourages memorial donations to local causes that she supported: SAFE, Inc. Of Transylvania County, Post Office Box 2013, Brevard, NC 28712 ( www.safebrevard.com ) or Transylvania Regional Hospital, 260 Regional Drive, Brevard, NC 28712 ( www.missionphilanthropy.org ).