Nancy Jean (Miller) Storie

Nancy Jean Miller Storie passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on November 19, 2022, at UNC Hospitals, Chapel Hill, NC following a long, courageous battle with Lymphoma.  Born on October 21, 1953, she was the daughter of the late D.L. (Shorty) and Virginia Miller of Landis.  Nancy Jean was a graduate of South Rowan High School, Class of 1971, where she played basketball and was drum majorette in the band.  Following high school, she earned a bachelors degree from Appalachian State University and a masters degree in education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.  Nancy Jean began her teaching career in health and physical education before transitioning to a kindergarten teacher.  She impacted the lives of countless students over her 30 years at Royal Oaks Elementary.  Her influence reached far beyond the curriculum.  She taught multiple generations many life lessons, including respect, love, and honoring their elders, at such an early age.  Over the years, children and grandchildren of her students made their way into Mrs. Storie’s classroom and they all loved her.  Everyone wanted to be in her class!  Through the years, so many of her students reached out to her to express their tremendous gratitude for the influence she had on their lives.  Even in her retirement, Nancy Jean continued working with children as she volunteered regularly at Enochville Elementary School where her grandson, Carson, attended.

Nancy Jean was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Landis where she was a member of the church choir, played handbells, and served on multiple committees over the years.  She used her musical talents as interim pianist and organist for various area congregations, especially Boger Reformed Church in Concord.  She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary of Landis and was a founding member of the South Rowan American Legion Baseball committee where she oversaw the selling of program advertisements for many years.  Her love of baseball, her community and the fact that she did not meet a stranger, combined to make her the number one half and half ticket seller and fundraiser for many Legion seasons.

Those that know Nancy Jean will remember her passion, her enthusiasm, and her commitment to her sports teams.  Nancy Jean loved everything about the North Carolina Tar Heels.  She followed all sports, from volleyball to field hockey to men’s and women’s basketball to football, and all sports in between.  When Nancy Jean went to cheer on her Heels, she was always dressed head to toe in Carolina gear including earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and buttons.  She especially enjoyed going to the men’s basketball Final Fours with her sister, Beth, and daughter, Laura.  Nancy Jean never hesitated to disagree loudly with the referees while watching games, whether that be on TV or in person.  But without a doubt, Nancy Jean’s favorite teams were those on which Carson was a member.  She was at every school function, baseball game, and basketball game that she could possibly attend.  If you were there, you knew Nancy Jean was, too, as she cheered on not only Carson, but every player on the teams.

Nancy Jean loved her trips to the beach with family and friends that became like family.  She loved her visits to Stag n Doe, her favorite local restaurant, and always enjoyed catching up with everyone there.  During her initial battle with lymphoma, a stray cat appeared at her house.  Nancy Jean, ever the cat lover, took him in and he helped her through many of her roughest days.  She named him Sam and referred to him as her “guardian angel cat”.  Along with her family and friends, Sam was there with her through her next two battles with cancer.

Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Laura Crainshaw and husband, Randy, of Kannapolis; sister, Beth Miller, of Durham; grandson, Carson Lee Crainshaw, of Kannapolis; longtime companion, Mike Fisher and his daughters, Hannah (Dan) Couchenour and Kolby Fisher, and granddaughter, Zella Couchenour.  A Celebration of Life will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 108 West Rice Street, Landis, NC 28088, on Saturday, November 26, 2022.  Visitation will be from 12:00-2:00 in the Family Life Center with a funeral service immediately following in the church sanctuary.  Burial will be at West Lawn Memorial Park, China Grove, NC.

Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com