Nancy Lee Jarrells, 84, of Friendship, OH, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2025, at The Courtyard of Wheelersburg. She was born in West Portsmouth, OH, on August 7, 1941, to the late Harry Allen Hamilton and Mary (Hansen) Hamilton.
Nancy was a proud 1959 graduate of West Portsmouth High School, where she excelled in academics and extracurricular activities. As a band member majorette, homecoming queen, and participant in the National Honor Society and Scholarship Teams, she showed early signs of her dedication to excellence. Nancy was also crowned Miss Portsmouth in 1958 and was a contestant in the Miss America competition, recognized for her talent in dancing and academic achievements.
In 1963, she graduated cum laude from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science in Education and earned a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from Xavier University in 1976. She furthered her professional education with 34 post-graduate hours from Ohio University, Ohio State University, University of Dayton, and Xavier University, which led to her certification in elementary principalship and supervision. Nancy’s passion for teaching spanned a rewarding 30-year career at Washington Local School District, where she was beloved by generations of students, particularly at Friendship and Dry Run Elementary Schools. Her greatest professional joy came from the warm embraces of former students in the community.
Outside of her career, Nancy’s life was filled with love for her family, friends, and hobbies. She enjoyed playing tennis, pickleball, bowling, boating, swimming, and gardening. She especially cherished the view of the Ohio River from her home of 54 years on Ziegler Lane. A true adventurer, Nancy traveled to 49 states and many European countries, firmly believing that the U.S. offered unparalleled experiences. She was a lifetime member of Nauvoo and Friendship United Methodist Churches.
Nancy was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Walter E. Jarrells; an infant son; her parents; a sister; a nephew; and an infant great-grandson.
She is survived by her children, Molly Lee Clevenger and Jason Allen (Erin) Jarrells of Atlanta, GA; grandchildren, Emily (Matt) Loesch, Andrew (Ashlee) Sparks of Friendship, OH, Meghan Jarrells and Grant Jarrells of Atlanta, GA; and great-grandsons, Eric and Graham Loesch, and Creed Sparks, all of Friendship, OH.
In her own words, Nancy often said, “I’ve lived a wonderful life.”
Funeral services will be 6PM Friday January 17, 2025 at the Roger W. Davis Funeral Home in West Portsmouth with Alex Bloomfield officiating, and interment in Scioto Burial Park on Saturday at 11AM January 18, 2025. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday starting at 5. Condolences may be sent to www.rogerwdavisfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.act.alz.org.
