Nancy Edith Smith Golightly

Nancy Edith Smith Golightly was born on January 18, 1945 in Phoenix, Arizona to Robert “Bert” Smith and Ida Louise Addington Smith along with older brother Harold B. “HB” Smith. The Smith family operated a produce farm in Tolleson, Arizona and spent time in Greer, Arizona at their family cabin. In 1950 Nancy’s dad was struck by lightning while fishing in Greer and left a hemiplegic. After this event the Smith family moved permanently to Greer and later to Springerville where they owned and operated Bert’s Drive-In Liquor Store.

Nancy attended Sacred Heart Catholic Boarding School at a young age and later attended Round Valley High School. In 1959 as a freshman, Nancy was the class Vice-President, member of the Mixed Chorus, Drama Club and Girls’ Glee Club and made the Honor Roll. Nancy later attended college and finished her education with a master’s degree in education.

Germany was home for a few years where Nancy travelled extensively. She later returned to Springerville and in 1977 she became a licensed real estate agent. A few years later Nancy became a real estate broker and owned her own company; Nancy Golightly Realty, Inc. In January of 2022 after 45 years of real estate, Nancy let her license expire and she retired. 

With her willingness to serve in the community Nancy became well known to many. Her service included volunteering with the Springerville-Eagar Chamber of Commerce, the WMRMC Hospital Auxiliary, Springerville Rotary Club, numerous committees with St. Peter’s Catholic Church and she helped with community events. Nancy was instrumental in the start-up of the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shop. She personally donated a place free of charge for its opening.

In 2014 Nancy provided 9000 flags for the local Independence Day Parade. With help from her friends, Nancy walked the parade route from Eagar to Springerville and personally handed out flags. The good deed did not go unnoticed. The next day a picture of some of the children holding her flags during the parade made the front page of the Wall Street Journal.

Nancy had a soft spot for cats. She usually had 2 or 3 of her own and would feed many of the strays that lived by her office and behind Safeway.

Nancy passed away peacefully, Thursday, October 3, 2024 while living at Angel Wings Assisted Living in Vernon.

A viewing will be held Monday, October 14, 2024 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Burnham Mortuary, Eagar. Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. followed by Rosary at 9:30 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Springerville. Interment will follow the services at the Springerville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Store or St. Peter’s Catholic Church.