Debra Kay (Shinn) Nance

Debra “Debbie” Kay Nance, 56, of Fair Play, passed away on Sunday, June 20, 2010, in a car accident near Weaubleau. She was born May 2, 1954, in Sedalia to James Richard Shinn and Ina Evalene (Tucker) Shinn.

Debbie served as Postmaster at Fair Play Post Office in Fair Play for 20 years. She was a former board member of the Fair Play Library and was past president and current member of the Community Betterment Association in Fair Play.

She was saved at the age of eight at Hogles Creek Missionary Baptist Church and was a Charter Member of the Freedom Missionary Baptist Church near Warsaw. Love thy neighbor as thyself is how Debbie lived her life. With a heart of gold she helped everyone she met. Debbie had a strong desire that everyone would know her savior. She will be greatly missed by her brothers and sisters in Christ.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Gary McMillin, who died while serving in Vietnam in 1970.

Debbie is survived by her daughter, Jessi Loehr – Bolivar; a son, Ricky Nance, and his wife, Cassy – Collins; her parents, James and Ina Shinn – Osceola; two brothers, Jim Shinn, and his wife, Terri - Osceola, and Billy Shinn, and his wife, Melanie - El Dorado Springs; one sister, Donna Hart, and her husband, Bill – Osceola; her grandmother, Ina Tucker – Warsaw; five grandchildren - Seth Loehr, Justus Loehr, Demetrius King, Tommy Nance and Daniel Nance; many nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Services were held Thursday, June 24, at the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar with Brother Carl DeFreece officiating. Musical selections were There’s A Great Day Coming and Victory In Jesus sung by Emily Shinn. The congregational song was Amazing Grace. A video presentation was played with the background song Rock Of Ages which was sung the night she was saved. Juanita Smith played the piano.

Burial under the direction of Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar, was in the Freedom Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery near Warsaw in Benton County. Songs sung at the cemetery were I’ll Fly Away and Peace In The Valley. Pallbearers were - Craig Hart, Ryan Shinn, Chad Shinn, Randy Ridgway, Mike Nance and Zane Durnell. Honorary Pallbearers were Jamey Nance and Travis Nance.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Freedom Missionary Baptist Church c/o Butler Funeral Home, 407 E. Broadway, Bolivar, Missouri 65613.