Nancy Ann Clements

Celebrating the Life of Nancy Ann Harrell Clements

Nancy Ann Harrell Clements left this world on May 28 at the age of 78. A celebration of her life will be held at Netherwood Park Church of Christ July 12 at 11 a.m. You're invited to join in honoring a woman who brought color, warmth, and a whole lot of love into this world.

Born in Albuquerque December 10, 1946, to Hubbard and Mary Harrell. Though there’s no one to testify, we suspect her arrival was anything but quiet! Raised by a mother who was a talented painter and lived with polio and a wheelchair, Nancy learned early on how to blend compassion with strength. And her dad was her first hero and male love. She and Jelly later renovated her childhood home, where she resided when she passed.

Her grandparents, John and Alta Merritt were longtime residents of Old Town. Nancy graduated from Sandia High in 1965. She attended Lubbock Christian (where she traveled with the accapella chorus) and the University of New Mexico, where she made lifelong friends at the Christian Student Center on the UNM campus.

Nancy loved God, and she loved people. Nancy worked as a secretary for two churches, University Church of Christ and later at Montgomery Church of Christ. She worked for the same Christian Student Center she attended and the Albuquerque Christian Children’s Home.

In 1979 she married the love of her life G.A. Clements, and he really was as sweet as “Jelly.” Nancy sang at many people’s weddings and funerals, including Jelly’s beloved first wife Toots (though she didn’t know her). Nancy adored their son, Jonathan. She was so proud of him.

Nancy streamed art and joy wherever she went. Never light on creativity: she made grapevine wreaths, crafts, painting, arranging wedding flowers. She was not a ‘beige’ girl. There was always color. Nancy and Jelly started a business called Our House Creations with beautiful wooden creations.

Nancy=servant heart. She and Jelly volunteered at the Ponderosa Christian Camp. She planned, organized, and prepared meals. At the Netherwood Church of Christ, she organized singles for fellowship and activities, plus doing the table decorating for the monthly senior luncheon.

Nancy was concerned about widows and widowers who sometimes get overlooked in church activities and organized a seminar in Albuquerque. She was a wedding coordinator for many stressed out brides (and their mothers).

And, finally, let’s remember the elephants, multiple year-round Christmas trees, mahjong tutoring (before it was cool), and social media posting…lots and lots of posts.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved Jelly, stepdaughter Donna Kuhnley, stepson Bob Clements, step-grandson Jimmy Clements, and step-granddaughter Sarah Clements.

She leaves behind a legacy of love: her son Jonathan Clements and grandson Ridley Clements; her brother Ken and sister-in-law Mary K. Harrell; her cousin Ann Merritt; nephews R.K., James, and Kerry Harrell; step-grandsons Mark, Steve, and Zack Clements; step-granddaughters Heidi Kuhnley, Heather Lynn, Candy Fitzsimmon, and Bonnie Clements. Her extended family includes many great-grandchildren who knew her affectionately as “Granancy.” She is also survived by her dearest friend of 58 years, Denise Honeycutt, plus many more friends who she loved and brought HER joy!

Thank you for coming to celebrate Nancy’s extraordinary life. We know she’s having a fabulous time in heaven, playing hostess, and waiting to welcome us to the party when we arrive.