Nancy Jane Burnett Strong, 75, of Fayetteville, passed away Tuesday, May 7, 2013, due to complications of a stroke suffered in October 2010.

Nancy, daughter of Mildred Evelyn Hyde Burnett and Emerson Burnett, was born in Nashville on March 1, 1938

She graduated from Marshall County High School where she was active in girls' basketball and founded the girls' club. After graduation, Nancy continued to study at University of Tennessee in Knoxville where she met her first husband, Gene Michelson, from Chattanooga.

Nancy was married to Hanley Gene Michelson in 1958; they were married for 19 years and had two children -- Jeni and Mark -- and lived in East Lansing, Mich. and Chattanooga. Nancy then married Joe D. Strong of Fayetteville and they lived happily together for 25 years.

Nancy worked as a homemaker for most of her life, raising two children and five stepchildren. In addition, she worked with several local businesses in Fayetteville including Strong Brothers Market and the Fayetteville Country Club. Nancy enjoyed many hobbies and interests including singing, playing golf (where she scored two holes in one), card games, cooking, gardening, hunting, fishing, and flower arranging. She loved all kinds of animals, especially cats and birds. Her cat Woodsy lived with her for 29 years. She also enjoyed entertaining for friends, family and holidays. She was actively involved as a Master Certified BBQ Judge with the Kansas City Barbecue Society and had previously taught Sunday school for 10 years at Mitzvah Temple in Chattanooga.

Nancy is survived by her two children, Mark (and granddaughter Michelle) and Jeni Michelson (and husband James Rowell) and other family including sister, Marie Carter (husband Dave Carter); nephew, Colin Carter; and her first cousins, Lyle and Van Cheatham.

Nancy was preceded in death by her mother, Mildred Burnett; aunt, Rachel Cheatham; and father, Emerson Burnett.

A Celebration of Nancy's Life Concert is being planned for Sunday, June 9, in Fayetteville at the Lincoln Care Center where she resided since her stroke.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Lincoln Medical Home Health and Hospice, Lincoln Care Activity Center, or the Lincoln County Animal Shelter.

The family of Nancy Strong wishes to thank the staff of Lincoln Care Center for providing compassionate care for Nancy after her stroke.