Nancy Clarke Hargrave

Nancy Clarke Hargrave passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 25^th at her home in Dinwiddie, VA with her family by her side.  Nancy was the most caring, loving and devoted wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt.  She passed away at the age of 87 after a brief battle with lymphoma. 

Nancy was born on March 28, 1936 in Stony Creek, VA, one of seven children of the late Sadie Barnes and Ribble Carpenter Clarke.  She grew up on her family’s farm.  Nancy graduated from Dinwiddie High School in 1954 where she excelled in both softball and basketball.  She was a “crackerjack” all-state short stop and led her team to 54 consecutive wins during that time.  She went on to attend business college in Richmond, VA. 

Nancy married her high school sweetheart, Milton Irby Hargrave, Jr.  on August 31, 1957.  Nancy and Milton went on to have three children: Milt, Nan and Anna. 

Nancy never shed her farm girl roots.  She loved spending time in her yard and garden and had a knack for getting everything to grow.  Nancy was also a wonderful cook who poured her heart and soul into everything she made.  She always said a little sugar was her secret ingredient, but her family and friends knew it was love.  Nancy so enjoyed decorating and designing the beautiful space that she was so proud to call home.  She was a creative and colorful soul, who took great pride and pleasure watching the lives of her children and grandchildren evolve.

Nancy is survived by her most beloved husband of 66 years, Milton Irby Hargrave Jr. and her three children and their spouses:  Milt and Debra Hargrave of Dinwiddie, VA, Nan and Ron Rasmussen of Greenville, SC and Anna and Josh Stern of Alexandria, VA.  Nancy also leaves her five adored grandchildren:  Whit Rasmussen, Mackenzie Hargrave, Grayson Hargrave, Nell Gray Rasmussen, and Charlotte Stern and one cherished great-grandson, Tucker Hargrave.  She is also survived by her dear sister and brother-in-law, Nell and H.B. Butterworth of Blacksburg, VA as well as her sister-in-law, Mary Jane Clarke of Louisa, VA. She so loved and enjoyed her many nieces and nephews. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her four brothers and one sister.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful and compassionate nurses and care givers from Crater Community Hospice and Care Advantage. 

A memorial celebration of Nancy’s life will be conducted at Lebanon United Methodist Church on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a private family interment at Blandford Cemetery. 

The family will receive friends prior to the service in the church fellowship hall from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Crater Community Hospice, 3916 South Crater Road, Petersburg, VA  23805 or Lebanon United Methodist Church, 12450 Courthouse Road, Dinwiddie, VA  23841.