Nancy M. Rumfelt

Nancy Sue McAbee Rumfelt, age 85, of 121 South Glenn Drive, Shelby, N.C. died Saturday, December 3, 2022. She was the daughter of William Henry McAbee and Letitia (Essie) Petty McAbee of the Spencer Mountain Community of Gaston County.

Nancy attended Ranlo Elementary School, graduated from Lowell High School, and earned an Associate of Divinity Degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Nancy married the love of her life, Robert Jerald Rumfelt (Jerry) on June 26, 1957, and the couple recently celebrated their 65th anniversary. They spent the first twenty years of their marriage in the Air Force, stationed in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, New York, Louisiana, as well as Adana, Turkey and SHAPE, Belgium. The next twenty years were spent in the ministry. No matter where the family was stationed or sent, Nancy made their house a home, and she ensured everyone in the family felt secure no matter where they lived.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Jerry Rumfelt, and three children, Janet Rumfelt Pittman, and husband Don, of Shelby, NC, Robin Rumfelt Thurkill and husband Joe, of Shelby, NC, and Eric Rumfelt and wife Laura Kay of Newberry, S.C. Also left to carry on her legacy are five grandchildren and their spouses, Joshua Pittman (Krysta), Bradley Thurkill, Rebecca Pittman Haas (Will), William Thomas Rumfelt and Mattison Rumfelt, as well as one great grandchild, Elijah Pittman, and one on the way, Nicholas Bell Pittman.

Nancy was a dedicated wife and mother who actively loved her Lord Jesus Christ. She served in many positions in Baptist Churches throughout her life in the US, Turkey, and Belgium. She served as Sunday School teacher, class officer, GA, Acteens, Royal Ambassadors and Mission Friends Leader, as well as Church Librarian and always active in WMU. She was an avid encourager for all things mission related. She also taught children and adults to read through the Laubach Literacy Program in Cleveland County. She worked as a school secretary, Reading Tutor, Day Care Teacher, and Nursing Assistant. She was a gifted seamstress, cook and cake decorator, but her main priorities throughout her life were living for and sharing Jesus and loving her family.

Nancy is preceded in death by her brother William McAbee and is survived by her sister, Linda McAbee Melton, a nephew Lance Melton, and beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Nancy was a most loving and kind person all through her life. She may have been shy but was always caring and loving to the very end. Parkinson's Disease may have robbed her of movement, and dementia may have taken many of her memories, but nothing could rob her of her sweet personality, her strength of character, beauty, and dignity that she kept to the very end of her battle with these diseases. We will miss her, but her Lord and Savior will greet her with "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

Our most grateful thanks to Helping Hands Service and Hospice of Cleveland County for their excellent and loving care. Also, thanks to Greene Funeral Service.

A funeral service officiated by Reverend Robert J. Rumfelt will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, December 5, 2022, at the West Chapel of Greene Funeral Service. Visitation will be 1:00 – 2:00 pm, prior to the service. Burial will be at Westview Gardens, 1123 Edgewood Rd., Bessemer City, NC

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be donated to Hospice of Cleveland County.

Condolences may be made online at:  www.greenefuneral.com