Myrtle Nations Obituary

WHITTIER - Myrtle (Messer) Nations, 88, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Flonnie Messer; husband, Claude Nations Jr.; daughter, Bobbie Jean Nations; daughter-in-law, Lori Nations; and grandson-in-law, Dillon Moore.
Myrtle is survived by her children, Mary (Tony) Thomason, Connie (Richard) Crider, Claude Ray (Lori) Nations, Randy Lee (Bridgit) Nations and Brandy Nations; daughter adopted-in-love, Mary Martin Wertz; and grandchildren, Crystal Fortner, Ben (Shea) Wiggins, Bo (Brandi) Hollifield, Brandon (Dana) Wiggins, Dalton Crowe, Claudia (Tanner) Howell, Celina (Joseph) Haigler, Saraya Wright, Devon Wright, Landon Nations and Kylee Nations. She was blessed with 15 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings, Robert Messer, Fannie Hoop and Ann Payne.
She took great joy in her family and found her greatest happiness in being "Nanny." Her home was always open, a gathering place filled with love, laughter, unconditional acceptance and the smell of home-cooked meals. She adored her children and grandchildren and played a cherished role in their lives, offering wisdom, comfort and a steady hand through every season.
She delighted in a spotless home, a well-tended garden and laundry so fresh it could make a commercial jealous. If she wasn't canning vegetables for winter, she was planning her next adventure because even a woman rooted in tradition loved to see the world. Her kitchen table was more than a place to eat, it was where stories were shared, bonds were built and recipes were passed down like treasures. And through it all, she was always impeccably dressed with hair perfectly in place, jewelry shining and a touch of elegance that made every day feel like Sunday best. Many found comfort and a little therapy in those conversations, leaving her home with a full belly and a fuller heart.
She has now been reunited with her beloved husband and daughter, resting in the presence of the Lord. As Proverbs 31 reminds us, "Her children rise up and call her blessed," and her legacy lives on in the love and strength of her family. Though she has gone ahead, we find comfort in knowing she will be watching over those she leaves behind, until we meet again.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, Jan. 30, at Whittier Baptist Church.
The family will receive friends from 12 to 1 p.m., Friday at the church.