Nancy Kelly Grant

Nancy Carolyn Kelly Grant, 79, passed away in the loving arms of her husband of 56 years, Bill Grant, on Friday, October 24, 2025, in Grants Pass, OR. A viewing will be Friday, October 31 at 9:00 am PST followed by a funeral service at 10:00 am PST at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 1969 Williams Hwy Grants Pass, OR 97527. Zoom link for funeral https://zoom.us/j/97841371728?pwd=yqmfnf9tEU9eoWSOj6NQUEBckFIv6x.1 A graveside service will be at 2:00 pm PST at Eagle Point National Cemetery 2763 S Riley Rd Eagle Point, OR 97524.

On May 14, 1946, Nancy was born to James Irwin Kelly and Addie Jean Brown in Albany, GA. Nancy grew up in a loving, Christ-centered home with two wonderful brothers that she adored, Jimmy and John Kelly.

Nancy was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During high school, she attended early morning seminary for four years. She made excellent grades at Albany High School and earned an academic scholarship to Brigham Young University. She loved BYU where she made lifelong friends and met the love of her life, Bill Grant. She and Bill giggled when they reminisced about getting kicked out of the BYU library for laughing too loud.

Nancy graduated from BYU in 1968 with degrees in English and Theatre. After graduating, her passion for teaching led her to Colonia Juarez, Mexico where she taught English for one year. She loved her students and host family, and she stayed in contact with them throughout life.

Nancy returned to the U.S. and married Army Lieutenant William Robert Grant in Albany, GA on July 26, 1969. Bill was the one, true love of her life, and she was the love of his. When Bill deployed to Korea, Nancy taught English at Albany High School. Bill returned from Korea in 1971, and they moved to Arizona so Bill could complete his master’s degree in business at Thunderbird. Nancy worked at a bank to help put Bill through school.

After Bill completed his degree, Nancy and Bill moved back to Georgia and raised three children: Quinn, Kelly, and Katie. Nancy was an outstanding mother and loved her children very much. She volunteered as a Cub Scout Leader, Girl Scout Leader, Parent Teacher Organization, and she even coached baseball one year. She never missed a ball game or school activity. She truly cherished motherhood and taught her children the gospel of Jesus Christ.

She went on to earn a master’s degree in English Literature at Albany State University along with teaching certificates including English as a Second Language. Nancy taught school for 20+ years and inspired hundreds of students to be their best selves. She taught at Mitchell-Baker High School, Norcross High School, Pinckneyville Middle School, North Forsyth High School, and Hendricks Middle School. Nancy loved her students and found creative ways to teach English, Spanish, Life Science, and English as a Second Language. Additionally, Nancy served as the Yearbook Advisor collaborating with her Editors to ensure a best-in-class annual. Nancy also led multiple study abroad trips so students could experience beautiful cultures in Mexico and Spain.

From 2011-2013, Nancy and Bill served a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Buin, Chile. Nancy thrived in Chile and enjoyed teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in Spanish. She loved listening to others, learning new points of view, giving hugs, and making new friends. Throughout her life, Nancy found joy serving her church community as Primary President, Young Women’s President, Relief Society President, Seminary Teacher, Sunday School Teacher, Choir Director and many other positions.

Nancy dearly loved her in-laws: Kjirsten Grant (Quinn), Jon Robinson (Kelly), and Travis Jarrard (Katie). She adored her grandchildren who know and love her as “Annie”: Liam Grant, Elizabeth Grant, Jenna Robinson Ballard (Porter), Caleb Grant, Allison Robinson, Sydney Jarrard, Lauren Robinson, Luke Grant, Addyson Jarrard, Caroline Robinson, Claire Grant, Rylin Jarrard, Sarah Robinson, and Anna Grant.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or any other charities that you choose.

We love you forever to the moon and back Annie!

Please share memories of Nancy in her Guestbook below.