Nancy M. Canerday, 79, of Russellville, passed away at her home Wednesday, February 2, 2022. She was born March 2, 1942, in Rison, to Adron and Dorothy Vick Martin.

The family lived in Pine Bluff for years before moving to El Dorado. Nancy was a proud member of the accomplished El Dorado High School Class of 1960. She was a Pepette, served on the student council, and was an avid Wildcats fan. The first song she taught her daughter was "Jesus Loves Me;" the second was the "El Dorado Fight Song."

She attended Arkansas Tech and worked for years in the registrar's office. Then Nancy and her husband, Don, opened Canerday's Honda—the first motorcycle dealership between Little Rock and Fort Smith—in downtown Russellville. When they sold the business, she worked as a bookkeeper at Poultry Specialties Inc. for 32 years.

Nancy was a true volunteer at heart and helped dozens of organizations throughout her life. She served as President of the Sunnyfield Extension Homemakers and was an early board member of the Friendship School. She was a devout member of the Junior Auxiliary where she served as President of the Russellville chapter, then as Associate to the Board. When Russellville's Bobbie Moore was elected National President, she chose Nancy to serve as Corresponding Secretary. In 2001 Nancy received the Betty Robbins Volunteer of the Year Award—the organization's highest honor.

She loved playing bridge with her bridge club, playing board games with Larry and the late Jalia Lingle, working crosswords, and would rather read instead of watch t.v. For 33 years she took fitness classes at Dance with Joy and loved them. She was a member of the Mirage Middle Eastern Dance Troupe, performing in her last recital at age 73. She was a great cook, an excellent writer, and a gifted seamstress but she was too humble and modest to acknowledge her talents. She was hysterically funny, brutally blunt, and a master of sarcasm. Anyone who ever met Nancy will never forget her.

Nancy was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Don Burnett Canerday; her parents; her in-laws, Fred and Vena Canerday; her only sister, Joan McClain and husband, Randell "J.R." McClain of Pine Bluff; and sweet Dog of Russellville.

Survivors include her daughter, Natalie Canerday of Russellville; Don's son whom she always considered her own, Jon Canerday and wife, Alice, of Aiken, SC; his son, Jon "Jay" Canerday Jr. and wife, Liz, of Hot Springs; beloved nieces, Rana McClain of Pine Bluff and Cheryl McClain Dowell and husband, Mark, of Woodlawn; sons, Eric Dowell and wife, Nichole, of Stuttgart, and their sons, Ayden and Jaxon; and Phillip Dowell and wife, Cheyenne, of Pine Bluff.

Special thanks to Kindred Hospice for taking such great care of Nancy. Hannah and Chaplain Ida helped so much, Allison always went above and beyond, and Nurse Tera Steen definitely qualifies for Sainthood. Thanks also to our dear friend, Kim Sims and Nancy's "Other Daughter," Laurale Lingle Greathouse. We couldn't have made it through the last two weeks without you.

All arrangements are through Shinn Funeral Service—the absolute Best.

Memorials may be made to the Pope County Library, 116 East 3 ^rd Street, Russellville, AR 72801, or to the Friendship Foundation at www.fccare.org/donations .

Due to COVID, the family asks that you not come visit at this time. A celebration of Nancy's life will be held at a later date. For now, tell someone your favorite Nancy story and have a good laugh.

Nancy's life-long mantra was "Do what you're supposed to." Please do what You are supposed to now, Gray Haired Mother: Rest in peace.

Online guestbook and condolences available at www.shinnfuneral.com.