Nancy Mcfarland

Nancy Myers McFarland of Commerce passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 83 on October 7, 2024 at Medical City Hospital in Plano, Texas after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke two days earlier. A retired educator and loving wife, mother, and grandmother, Nancy was a kind and cheerful woman who was known throughout her community for her service to others, especially children and students. She and her husband, Dr. Keith McFarland, served the Commerce and Texas A&M University-Commerce communities for over 50 years, finishing their careers as President and First Lady of the University from 1998—2008.

Nancy was born on December 14, 1940 in Steubenville, Ohio. The only child of Charles F. Myers and Anna “Dottie” Carlton Myers, she attended Steubenville schools, graduating in 1958.  She earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Kent State University in 1962, where she was a member of Kappa Phi national religious sorority. She maintained close friendships with her college roommates up until her passing. In 1976, she completed her master’s degree in elementary education at East Texas State University. While at Kent State, she met Keith McFarland of Dover, Ohio, they fell in love and were married at the First Congregational Church of Steubenville on June 12, 1962. Over the course of their 62-year marriage, she and Keith set an amazing example of love, commitment, and service to their family and others, rarely leaving each other’s side. Nancy was a role model to many and known for always having a cheerful smile on her face every time you saw her.

In the fall of 1962, she began her teaching career in Whitehall, Ohio while Keith earned his master’s degree at Ohio State University. The next two years were spent in Virginia and Okinawa while Keith served in the U.S. Army, and while in Okinawa they welcomed their first child, Mark Allen McFarland in 1965. The family returned to Columbus after completing their military service and welcomed their second child Carolyn Ann McFarland in 1968 while Keith pursued his doctorate in history at Ohio State University. After completing his PhD in 1969, they relocated to Commerce, Texas, where Keith began his career as an assistant professor of history at East Texas State University. The same year their third child, Dianna Lea McFarland was born.

After several years managing their household with three young children, she resumed her teaching career as a substitute teacher in Commerce ISD, later taught at Draughn’s Preschool, and then in 1984 became the Director and Teacher at the Little Ark Preschool at the First United Methodist Church in Commerce. Over the course of fifteen years, she gave hundreds of children in Commerce a strong start to their educational career, teaching the education basics and the importance of honesty, kindness, compassion, and sharing. For the rest of her life she took great pride in following the lives and careers of her former students.

Nancy and Keith were regular attendees at university sporting events, plays, and concerts. For years, she would invite college students to her home for dinners and receptions; and in the late 1980’s, the family sponsored two exchange students from Korea, Gyoung and Myoung Lee who remain dear family friends to this day (they still call Keith and Nancy “mom and dad”). She made time around her career to serve as a Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader and as an involved member of the PTA in her children’s schools.

Nancy was very involved in the life of the community, especially as a member of the First Presbyterian Church where she served as a Deacon and Elder. When the church’s doors were open for any reason, you would likely find Nancy there, often organizing the events. Rarely missing a Sunday service over the past 55 years, she also taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She was very active in the Presbyterian Women. She was also a founding member of the Louise Drake Garden Club, and the board of the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum, volunteered at the Commerce hospital, and was a member of the Psychology Club and the Coterie Culture Club. When she saw a need for children’s play spaces at the university, she spearheaded fundraising for playground equipment at the University Children’s Learning Center and at the married student housing. From her arrival in Commerce until her death, she was a regular bridge player in two separate groups (although she confessed that she never got any better). Her fellow players became her best friends.

As first lady of the University from 1998 – 2008, she worked to foster a sense of community among the students, staff and faculty: her “University Family” as she called them. Nancy hosted numerous picnics and dinners at the President’s home for staff and faculty, international students, sports teams, music groups, alumni, and other university organizations. She regularly attended 15 to 20 university activities per month and was known and loved by the entire university community.

Nancy and Keith always loved to travel, and they visited more than 25 countries and all 50 states. After her retirement, she continued to enjoy serving the community and following the activities of her grandchildren. Nothing was more important to her than family. Her home was the center of the extended family, and a pan of her special frosted brownies always welcomed her grandchildren upon their frequent arrival to grandma and grandpa’s house. Nancy was a very compassionate and caring person who went to great lengths to reach out to those who were suffering or in distress, regularly taking food or sending notes of encouragement to them. She cared deeply about other people and gave generously of her time and money to help worthy causes. She was soft-spoken, reserved, and never judgmental. If you used one word to describe her, it would be “humble.”

Nancy is survived by her loving husband, Keith; son, Mark of Commerce; daughter, Carolyn of Commerce; daughter, Dianna Champion, and son-in-law, Jay Champion of Niwot, Colorado. Grandchildren include Matthew Charles McFarland of College Station, Texas; Jason McFarland Champion of Boulder, Colorado; and Meredith Meighen Champion of Niwot, Colorado. Also surviving her is her brother-in-law L.L. “Mac” McFarland of Wadsworth, Ohio; niece, Laurie Birrenkott and husband, Brian of Powell, Ohio; and cousin, Mark Stuller of Granville, Ohio.

She was proceeded in death by her parents; sister-in-law Carol McFarland; nephew, David McFarland, aunt and uncle John and Florence Carlton; aunt and uncle Mary and Howard Stuller; cousin Scott Carlton; and Mark’s longtime girlfriend, Teresa Stone.

Visitation will take place on Friday, October 11, 2024 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Commerce Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held Saturday, October 12, 2024 beginning at 3:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Commerce. Interment will be at DFW National Cemetery on Monday, October 14, 2024 at 11:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum, P.O. Box 994, Commerce TX 75429 or the First Presbyterian Church, 1216 Monroe St. Commerce, TX 75428 or the Texas A&M University – Commerce Foundation, General Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 3425, Commerce, TX 75429.