Ms. Nancy Otwell Houston, 86, of Maysville, Georgia passed away peacefully in her home on November 6, 2024. She is survived by her daughter, Robyn Doss Zedack (Mike) of Woodstock, Georgia; her son, John Clinton (Jay) Doss, of Toccoa, Georgia; her niece, Taylor Sword (Andy), two great-nieces, Susan Sword and Jane Sword; and two great-nephews, Shay Stripling and Ramzy Stripling. She is predeceased by her parents, John Davis "JD" Otwell and Ruth Sorrow Otwell; her sister, Susan Stripling; and her nephews, Todd Stripling and Davis Stripling.

Nancy was born in Atlanta, Georgia, where she attended Sylvan High School and earned several special recognitions including being named on the all-region team as a point guard for the basketball team. She went on to attend Mercer University in Macon, Georgia where she was a member of Chi Omega sorority. It was also at Mercer that Nancy met Robyn and Jay's father, Clint Doss. Nancy would later go on to earn a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from Piedmont College.

After moving to Toccoa in 1968, Nancy was comfortable with being a housewife and raising her children until she began to notice an increasing traffic problem on Big A Road, which was only two lanes at the time. Nancy took it upon herself to contact the Georgia Department of Transportation and became the driving force behind the widening of Big A Road to three lanes. Because of Nancy's tenacity to see this project get off the ground, she was encouraged to run for county commission, and during a time where it was widely believed that women had no place in politics, she defeated two incumbent commissioners to become the first woman to be elected as county commissioner in the state of Georgia. Many local politicians to this day refer to Nancy as a trailblazer for women in politics. After her foray in politics, Nancy tapped her entrepreneurial spirit with a few ventures as a business owner, one of which was co-owner of The Studio with Deborah Hartley. Nancy later began working as a histologist with St. Mary's Hospital in Athens, where she would then retire in 2004.

Classy, elegant, strong, and determined are words that are often used to describe Nancy, but beyond that, the impact she had on others was palpable, especially Robyn and Jay's friends. They were always welcome to visit and many of them still refer to her as their "other mother," an honorary title she was quite fond of. Nancy was an accomplished artist and lover of animals. She considered the numerous deer and wild turkey that lived on "The Farm" as her pets, and derived great joy watching them from the windows and back porch of her home.

Nancy was a bright light that commanded attention every time she entered a room, and that bright light will continue to shine in the hearts and minds of the many lives she touched.

No services will be held at this time, a celebration of life will be held at a later date. If you would like to make a donation in Nancy's memory, please make them to the St. Mary's Hospital Foundation or a charity of your choosing.

Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers and sign the online guestbook at www.whitlockmortuary.net

Whitlock Mortuary, Funerals and Cremations is honored to be serving the family of Ms. Nancy Otwell Houston.