Nancy Ruth Giles

Mrs. Nancy Ruth Giles, 84, died Thursday, February 6, 2025, at her home in Water Valley, Mississippi. The memorial service will be Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home with Rev. Barrett Milner officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 1:00 P.M.

Nancy was born on January 6, 1941, in Steele County, Minnesota, to the late Ruth Ellsworth and Del Glover. A lifelong Presbyterian, Nancy nurtured her faith through her membership at First Presbyterian Church of Oxford. She and her husband, Don, were close to celebrating their 66th anniversary of marriage – one filled with a lifetime of love, humor, travel, and lots of good food. From the start of their marriage, Don never had to suffer through a bad meal, as Nancy mastered every dish she made. This love and talent for cooking made her a natural hostess, with the ability to feed a crowd of 20 at a moment’s notice. As a mother, Nancy was ever-involved in her children’s lives. Even into their adult years, she was considered a best friend and close confidant by each of her children. To some of her children and grandchildren, she was affectionately known as Maynard. She and Don loved to travel, watch movies, and attend various concerts and shows, but she also wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. This showed in her gorgeous and overflowing gardens that she lovingly tended to each year, no matter how hot it was in Mississippi. Nancy drew inspiration from her garden when painting, creating art pieces of landscapes and flowers that depicted the beauty she found in the world.

Nancy had a heart for animals, showing mercy and kindness to any creature that crossed her path, most especially her beloved cats and dogs. Despite life’s ups and downs, she maintained a zeal for life, appreciating an occasional glass of champagne and finding little moments to celebrate whenever she could. To Don she was not just a wife, but a best friend, lover, helpmate, supporter, and critic when needed. Nancy will be remembered for her gracious heart, delicious meals, and beautiful gardens, but most of all, for the abundance of love she had for her family. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Elizabeth Black; grandson, Austin Melville; and brothers, Larry Glover and Daniel Glover.

Nancy is survived by her beloved husband of 65 years, Donald Giles of Water Valley, MS; daughters, Suzanne Black of Oxford, MS and Sandra Melville (Hilary) of Rochester, MN; son, Steven Giles of Crawfordsville, IN; former daughter-in-law, Diane Giles of MN; sister, Louise Brady of St. Paul, MN; brother, Melvin Glover of Addy, WA; five grandchildren, Cherish Goergen, Britany Wiste, Chandler Giles, Kayla Giles, and Robin Melville; and eleven great-grandchildren.

Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Nancy’s memory may be made to Cats of CatNip Row Rescue and Sanctuary, Post Office Box 2863, Oxford, Mississippi 38655.