Nancy Lanier Player
Nancy Player Obituary
FLORENCE – Nancy Lanier Player, 86, died on Monday, June 24, 2024, after complications following a hard-fought battle from two strokes and pneumonia.
She was the daughter of the late Thomas Leon Lanier and Nell Johnson Lanier of Newport News, Virginia. Nancy was born in New York City and grew up in Newport News. She graduated from Randolph Macon Women’s College in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Following college, she worked at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, VA, in the genetics department. It was here that she met the love of her life, Carroll Player, on a blind date. They shared their life and love together for the next 62 years as best friends, parents, mixed doubles partners, confidantes, soulmates, and beyond.
She taught math and science at Moore Middle School for several years when she and Carroll first moved to Florence from Timmonsville.
Nancy’s volunteer efforts included serving as Chairman of the Chef & Child fundraiser for the McLeod Health Children’s Hospital. She sang in the Chancel and Handbell Choirs at First Presbyterian Church and in the Chancel Choir at Central United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Session at First Presbyterian, as well as being on the Board of the Masterworks Choir. She was an officer in her garden club and literary club. She served as president of the South Carolina Dental Association’s dental auxiliary organization.
Nancy was a passionately avid music and sports fan. She loved being a “Tennis Mom” as she shepherded Keith and Nell and their friends to multiple junior tennis tournaments every summer through their teenage years. When she became a grandmother, she was an enthusiastic spectator watching Ruth and Helen at swim team meets and tennis matches, and pulling for Hayden and Parker during their many years playing youth club soccer.
She was the girls’ ranking chairman for the South Carolina Tennis Association, a state ranked senior doubles player, and was honored with the SCTA’s Tennis Family of the Year award in 1980.
Nancy’s most memorable sports experience was being selected as one of the South Carolinians to carry the Olympic torch during its’ journey through the state prior to the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. That effort was culminated by attending the Opening Ceremonies at the Atlanta Olympics and viewing 21 gold medal final events.
She will be remembered by the neighbors as the “Neighborhood Watch Lady” as she frequently rode her bicycle throughout the neighborhood watching for all unfamiliar activity and forwarded to the Mom Underground line throughout the neighborhood. Criminal activity was at a minimum during her watch.
Nancy is survived by her husband of 61 years, Dr. Carroll Player; daughter, Nell Player DeVore (Brett) of Alpharetta, Georgia; son, Dr. Keith Player (Devin) of Florence; brother, Bobby Lanier (Vicki) of Newport News, Virginia; grandchildren, Ruth and Helen Player of Florence; Hayden and Parker DeVore of Alpharetta, Georgia; sister-in-law, Constance Player (Gary) Nelson of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and many cousins and in-laws. She was predeceased by her twin brother, Dr. Tommy Lanier, of Newport News, Virginia, and her brother-in-law, Randy Player (Paulette) of Camden.
We will miss Nancy’s upbeat personality and loving friendship. The family wishes to thank Dr. William Boulware, the pulmonary unit at McLeod Health, and especially the kind nursing staff and wonderful therapists at The Manor for their compassionate care these past three years.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at 12:00 noon at Central United Methodist Church with visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. in the church Commons Area. A private inurnment will occur at the CUMC Columbarium.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church or the McLeod Health Foundation’s Children’s Hospital Fund.
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