Obituaries

Mrs. Nadine George Clary

On Saturday, July 19, 2025, Nadine George Clary, age 89, of Bracey, Virginia, went home to her Savior and Lord. Nadine was born on January 21, 1936 to Rufus, Sr. and Gertrude George of Bracey, Virginia. Nadine was an incredibly gifted pianist. As a young child, long before she had formal piano lessons, Nadine could simply listen to a song and play it on the piano. She began her formal music instruction at age 8 under the tutelage of Mrs. Annie Lou Williams of LaCrosse. Mrs. Williams was the premier piano instructor of the area and Nadine was considered her star pupil. Nadine performed in yearly recitals and regional contests, winning numerous state awards of Excellence. As a high school senior, she was featured in a special solo recital.
Nadine’s father, Rufus George, was also a gifted musician and played several instruments including piano, banjo, guitar, fiddle and harmonica. He played banjo and harmonica in a five-man country music band that performed at area functions as well as on a weekly radio program. At age 11, Nadine began to play piano with the band for their weekly radio broadcast. During her high school years, Nadine and two of her closest friends also sang as a trio at many of the local area churches as well as at the local radio station.
After graduating from high school, Nadine earned her certification in Education from Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia and, as a young woman, she taught music education at LaCrosse School. After teaching at LaCrosse School for five years, she worked for seven years at Burlington Industries in clerical support, followed by twenty-eight years as office manager for Dr. John Bass. Although the remainder of her professional career was not in music, Nadine continued to teach private piano lessons. Several of her students went on to also become music teachers.
Nadine followed the Lord with unwavering faith and trust. She was a lifelong member of Kingswood United Methodist Church, where she faithfully served as full-time pianist and choir director for forty-nine years. She touched countless lives through her music ministry and her faithful service to Christ, the church and her community.
Nadine is lovingly remembered for her kind, sweet spirit and her genuine love for others. She brought love, joy and light to all who were blessed to know her. Nadine was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She is survived by her husband, Richard ‘Jack’ Clary, daughter Sarah Parker (Mike), daughter-in-law Miriam Baird, son Steve Clary (Angie), daughter Lisa McDanel (John), daughter Sheila Kidd (Andy), brother Benny George (Judy), sister Faye Matthews (Warren), her grandchildren Emory Loehr, Tony Loehr, Ryan Baird (Victoria), Shannon Walker (Robbie), Leslie Parker, Kelly Parker, Jason Parker (Amanda), Lauren Ashworth (Cameron), Taylor Jones (Ashley), Lucas Jones (Brittany), Courtney Wingenroth (Andrew), Heather Kidd, and Gage Kidd. Also surviving are her great-grandchildren, Kasie, James, Treyton, Mariah, McKenna, Kaidyn, Blaze, Trinity, Brianna, Xavier, Kaleia, Blake, Avery, Mason, Drew, Abigail, Oliver, Aiden and Maycee, as well as a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and her special friend, Margaret Harper. Nadine was deeply appreciative of the wonderful care provided to her by Care Advantage, her CNA, Tiffany Taylor, Dr. Graham Powers, and her entire medical team.
Nadine was preceded in death by her parents, Rufus and Gertrude George, a granddaughter, Stacey Parker, a grandson, Timothy Baird, a son, Sammie ‘Buddy’ Baird Jr., a daughter, Cynthia Loehr, and two sisters, Gladys Wells and Betty Poythress.
A celebration of Nadine’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at Kingswood Methodist Church, located at 4234 Highway 903, Bracey, VA with internment to follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. until time of service. Memorial contributions be made to Kingwood Cemetery Fund, c/o Phil Schutts, PO Box 191, Bracey, VA 23919. Online condolences may be made through our website, www.crowderhitecrews.com. Crowder-Hite-Crews Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Clary family.