Nancy Kay Richards Bentley
Socorro, NM
Nancy Kay Richards Bentley 68, of Socorro, New Mexico ended her journey of this world on March 23, 2017 in Rio Rancho, NM.
Nancy was born October 7, 1948 in Abilene, TX to Frank James Richards and Virginia (Steger) Richards. She grew up in the home on Buffalo Gap Road that her daddy built and regarded it as her home base throughout her life.
She was a graduate of the Cooper High School class of 1967. She went to the University of Texas Arlington 1967-1969 before she earned her wings as a stewardess for Frontier Airlines where she was based out of Denver Colorado. She obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education from McMurry College in 1978 and was a PI KAPPA DELTA. Nancy Kay taught speech and drama from 1978-1982 where she won district and region for one-act play and speech for Georgetown, TX High school and El Paso High school.
Nancy was in several movies she was the female lead in an independent film called Thunder Riders of the Golden West and an extra in Honeysuckle Rose. She was the studio manager for K.R.BC. T.V 1985-1989.
Nancy's true passions were the great mysteries of life. She was an advocate for injustice, seeker of the truth, a teacher of everything and anything that could be taught, and a giver of love. A skilled traveler that was able to find her way without a compass. She had such a large personality that you would never forget her even if you met her briefly.
She is preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, a son, Stoney Williams; her brothers, Mike and James Richards.
She is survived by her children Suzy South and Nick Bentley; nieces; nephews; cousins; and grandchildren. A special thanks to her best friend Cindy Steger for being her rock throughout the last days of her journey.
Memorials pending you may make a donation in her name to your local food bank.
Published in Abilene Reporter-News on Mar. 28, 2017
Cindy Sullins (Dees)
So sorry to hear about Nancy. I have great memories with Nancy and her cousin, Melba Henson, at Fun Valley. Nancy was a great friend and I'm sorry I had lost touch with her. She was one of a kind.
Debra Waddill (Mashburn)
I met Nancy when we were lab partners in the 8th grade at Madison Junior High. She was was always kind to others and had a zest for life, never settling for the mundane. I have been wondering about her lately because of our 50th class reunion. It's has been many years since we saw each other. That is my loss. My love and sympathy for her children and family. Nancy was truly unique and one of a kind. God bless her.
Glenn Hunsucker (CHS 68)
i remember playing in a band at her house (i think it was hers). after high school, many of us called her the hippy of abilene.
she was kind and friendly to just about everyone. Her family can be proud of being related to her and i hope they keep her memory alive through stories that her friends can share.
Michael Hanson
An unforgetable gal, she was. She was "hip" before hip was cool. "Nannook" was her nickname, for many of her friends. So sorry to hear she is gone, before I had a chance to see her again.
Linda Sonnamaker (Smith)
Yes -- Nanook was wild and crazy and a good friend. We had so much fun together. One of a kind!