Nancy Rae Barrick Evans, 57, of Blacksburg, died peacefully Saturday morning Dec. 16th in her bed surrounded by family after a brief year-long skirmish with an insidious six letter word – Cancer.
Born in Newville, PA just 30 miles above the Mason-Dixon line, she grew up surrounded by the deep, forever guiding love of family, friends and community. She was preceded in death by her dear parents, Ray and Jean Barrick. He was a self-employed welder/fabricator and one of the hardest working men you could ever hope to meet, always having time for his children anytime they needed him, while she was a trained beautician who helped guide the family with a firm, fair, eternally earnest, but generous hand and an overflowing heart.
Left to celebrate her freedom from sickness and our mortal chains is an adoring brother, Nolan Barrick and his wife, Stephanie. The tally goes on to include aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, co-workers and students who are just TOO numerous to list.
Her bereaved husband, Waverly, was saved by her 27 years of undying love and everlasting support. Always working together as a team, they raised their daughter and son, Alaina and Reece, to be true to themselves, respect others, while living up to their potential and developing their individual God-given talents. Her children were truly the light of her life and love for them had no earthly bounds.
Nancy made her way to Blacksburg, earning her undergrad and MBA degree from Virginia Tech. She began her career in Retail Management then developed a Fashion Merchandising program for New River Community College. Throughout her 30-year tenure at NRCC and 15 years of adjunct service to Virginia Tech, Nancy was an incredibly focused, motivated and tenacious Marketing Management Professor who tried to value each and every student she met, striving to help them learn and move out into the world to make their mark. It was all those students who gave her career meaning. She truly loved her vocation and the many, many dedicated faculty and staff she worked with.
She shied away from center stage and felt uncomfortable with accolades, so she asked only to be remembered in a simple manner, feeling awards and titles were (and should be) just quiet details.
During her illness, Nancy was intrigued by Paul’s letter to the Romans, specifically Chapters 12 and 13 where we are petitioned to “place your life before God” and cautioned “to be a responsible citizen.” She wanted us all to remember the following points given us in those readings:
Embrace what God does for you, as he will bring out the best in you. He will give you everything you need. Love from the heart and don’t dare fake it. Be a good friend who loves deeply and practice playing second fiddle. Don’t quit in hard times, but just pray all the harder! Laugh with your friends and share tears when they are down. Just get along and make friends with nobodies: don’t be the great somebody. Don’t let evil win, but instead get the best of evil by doing good. Live responsibly, as God WILL hold you responsible. Live responsibly – not just to avoid punishment, but also because it is simply the right way to live! Love others as well as you do yourself. Added up, the sum total is LOVE. And don’t waste a minute…dress yourselves in Christ and be up and about! The family thanks Dr. Isaac Spence for his diagnostic skills, Blue Ridge Cancer Care and Dr. Heather Brooks for Nancy’s ardent treatment, Carilion Clinic Hospice – NRV and especially her Nurse Nicole for compassionate love, and finally Pastor Jennifer Fletcher, Reverend Andrew Taylor-Troutman and our wonderful neighbors Linda and Chuck Eaton for affectionately ministering to her soul. To all of you, Nancy would say, “God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good! God loves you and so do I!”
A Celebration of Life will be held today, 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 23rd at Blacksburg United Methodist Church, located on 111 Church Street, Blacksburg, VA. A reception will immediately follow.
Honoring her wish to continue helping more students and investing in their potential, in lieu of flowers or other niceties, please send your generous donations to the Nancy R. B. Evans Endowed Scholarship Fund, New River Community College, 5251 State Rd. 373, Dublin VA. 24084. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.
