Louise Nance

Louise (Craig) Carpenter Nance
March 21, 1923 - May 21, 2012

Ella Louise (Craig) Carpenter Nance, 89, of Waco passed away Monday, May 21 at a local nursing facility. Services will be at OakCrest Funeral Home 4520 Bosque Blvd. on Thursday, May 24 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Curtis Holland officiating, interment to follow at Rosemound Cemetery. The family will receive visitors between 6 and 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 23 at OakCrest Funeral Home.

Born on March 21, 1923, Louise was the ninth child of Roger W. and Lou Ella Craig of Wortham, Texas. She graduated from Wortham High School as Valedictorian of the Class of 1941. After moving to Waco, she began a 40+ year career as a bookkeeper, working for several companies within the construction industry. She married Garland Edward Carpenter on June 11, 1947; the couple raised three daughters. Their 26-year marriage ended with his death in 1975. Louise married George Frank Nance on January 16, 1982; they shared 28 years until his death in 2010.

Louise was a member of Service Memorial United Methodist Church until its close and then transferred her membership to Central United Methodist Church. A past Worthy Matron of the former E.C. Cannon Order of the Eastern Star, Louise held several offices and later became a member of the Lorena Chapter. She was a past President of the Waco Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction. Always an avid reader, she passed on her love of books, art, and music to all of her children.

She is preceded in death by her husbands, parents, sisters, Grace Bullard, Lois Barnes, Alice Chandler and brothers Clark Craig, Milton Craig, Roger Craig, Rex Brown Craig and Jack Craig, two sisters who died in infancy.

Louise is survived by her daughters, Melisa Rosser and husband, Jim of Waco, Robi Michael and husband, Larry, of Chalkbluff, and Garlanda (CoCo) Kasik and husband, Harry of Euless. She is also survived by two step-daughters, Carol Nance of Waco and Linda Smith and husband Ron of Cranfills Gap. She is the proud grandmother of Lindsey Grace of Houston, Jamie Hernandez of Buda, Tracy White, Kevin Michael, DeeAnn Pilgrim, Cassie Michael, Cody Michael all of Waco, Joni Raney of Dawson, Micaela Creech of Euless, and Brianna Kasik of Hurst as well as three step-grandchildren, Liese Barnard, Rolland Alford, and Neal Alford. She has 15 great grandchildren and 5 step great grandchildren. She is survived by one sister, Martha (Jo) Knight and her husband, Tom of Woodway as well as sister-like niece, Beverly Durrett of Waco, sister-in-law, Rose Carpenter of Lorena, and numerous family members and friends.


Pallbearers are grandsons Bradley Grace, Ruben Hernandez, Mike White, Kevin Michael, Steve Raney, Cody Michael, Markus Creech and Jordan Yandell.

The family would like to thank Dr. Arthur Sudan and Providence Hospice for the care of their loved one. A special thank you to the staff of Quality Care Waco, whose love and excellent care enriched the final years of our mother's life. In lieu of flowers, the family designates donations to the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, or your favorite charity.