Mrs. Nancy Lyerly Safley

Mrs. Nancy Lyerly Safley, 80, of Salisbury, NC passed away Saturday, April 13, 2013 at Rowan Regional Medical Center. Born October 30, 1932 in Rowan County, NC to the late Ruth Kincaid Lyerly and Tom Lyerly, she was a graduate of Woodleaf High School. Nancy was the first teacher’s assistant hired in Rowan County and also was a school bus driver at Woodleaf Elementary for thirteen years. She was then a preschool teacher at Unity Presbyterian Church. Later she worked as a substitute teacher for Rowan Salisbury Schools, mostly at West Rowan High School. Nancy enjoyed seeing her students that she had taught thru the years and catching up with them. Nancy was a longtime member of Gay’s Chapel United Methodist Church. At the church she served as a Sunday school teacher, President of the Parker Guild, and in many other capacities. She loved her church and church family. Nancy enjoyed hand crafts, painting, and especially loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. A special treat was to have Granny make family members a specially decorated birthday cake. She was a loving and devoted railroad wife, mother, and granny. Surviving are her husband of 59 years, Lawrence Safley; daughters, Debbie Heilig and husband Mike of Salisbury, NC; Carolyn Link and husband Randy of Woodleaf; and Lori Everson and husband Terry of Denver, CO; and sisters, Peggy Williams and husband June of Cleveland, NC; Norma Overcash and husband Dave of Cleveland; and Treva Phelps of Salisbury, NC. Also surviving are six grandchildren: Mandi and Abbi Heilig, Mallie and Zeb Link, Clay and Maygan Everson, Mitchell Blalock, and great-grandson, Easton Blalock. The family will receive friends from 2-4 PM Wednesday (Apr 17) at Gay’s Chapel United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. The funeral service will follow at 4 PM in Gay’s Chapel United Methodist Church, conducted by Rev. Tony Jordan, Rev. Frank and Rev. Mary Gordon, and Rev. Marion Faulk. Burial will follow at Gay’s Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Gay’s Chapel United Methodist Church, 5545 Woodleaf Rd., Salisbury, NC 28147. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Safley family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

Mrs. Nancy Lyerly Safley

October 30, 1932 - April 13, 2013