Nancy Sue Swanson Pate was born June 7, 1947, in Urbana, Illinois, and passed away peacefully on May 10, 2026, in Georgetown, Texas, after a courageous six-year battle with cancer. She was 78 years old.

Nancy was born to Lloyd Phillip Swanson and Virginia Ruth Clark Swanson. She spent her early childhood in Champaign and Rantoul, Illinois, with brief years in Detroit, Michigan, and Dayton, Ohio, while her father served in the United States Air Force. After the family returned to Rantoul, her parents owned and operated the Rantoul Motel for many years, where Nancy often helped with the family business during her school years.

Nancy loved growing up in the 1950s and 1960s in a small Midwestern town. She remained close with many lifelong friends from her school years and treasured the trips and memories they continued to share throughout her life.

Nancy graduated from Rantoul Township High School in 1965 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education, graduating Cum Laude from Purdue University in 1969. While at Purdue, she was a proud member of Phi Mu.

On May 19, 1984, Nancy married Bill Pate at Hyde Park Baptist Church in Austin, Texas. Together they shared 42 wonderful years filled with faith, family, friendship, and travel. Their adventures took them throughout the United States and abroad, including memorable trips to Alaska, Hawaii, the British Isles, Greece, Egypt, and the Holy Land.

Nancy devoted much of her life to serving others. She volunteered with The Caring Place for 22 years, delivered Meals on Wheels, served as a Brownie leader, and was President of the Williamson County Gideons Auxiliary for three years. She was deeply involved in church activities and Bible studies for many years, including Community Bible Study, where she formed many cherished friendships.

Above all, Nancy loved her family. She was devoted to her husband, children, stepchildren, grandchildren, and great-grandson, and took great joy in supporting their activities and accomplishments. Her grandchildren were truly her pride and joy.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents and her granddaughter, Faith Virginia Foster.

She is survived by her loving husband, Bill Pate; daughters Bonnie Warner (Jeff) of Mahwah, New Jersey, and Christy Foster (Carl) of Sachse, Texas; stepsons Todd Pate (Lorie) of Tyler, Texas, and Matt Pate (Melissa) of Plano, Texas; grandchildren Kathleen Jaoudi (Mike) of Harrison, New York, Austin Turner of Queens, New York, Logan Foster of Sachse, Texas, Neeley Pate of Rochester, New York, Sophie Pate of Tyler, Texas, and Ryan, Natalie, and Zachary Pate of Plano, Texas; great-grandson Caleb Jaoudi of Harrison, New York; brother Phillip Swanson (Janie) of Monticello, Illinois; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Visitation will be held Friday, May 15, 2026 at 1pm at Crestview Baptist Church, followed by a Celebration of Life at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Gideons International (https://gideons.org/donate) or The Caring Place (https://www.caringplacetx.org/).