Nancy Kaylor

Nancy Carole Kaylor (née Banks) went home to be with the Lord on December 29, 2025, at the age of 82 after a brief illness. She passed away at Erlanger East Hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and was surrounded by her loving family, friends, and kind caregivers. Nancy was born in Madison, Indiana, on March 31, 1943, and spent her adolescence and early adulthood in Indianapolis, Indiana. She graduated from George Washington High School in Indianapolis in 1962.

Nancy married the love of her life, William "Bill" Robert Kaylor (April 2, 1938 - September 17, 2019), in Indianapolis, Indiana, on September 7, 1968. They met at a square dance and walked hand in hand through life for 51 happy years as devoted partners and best friends. They were blessed with four daughters, who deeply loved and respected them. A wonderful son-in-law and three amazing grandsons soon joined the family. Nancy was an incredible grandmother who shared her time and wisdom with her grandsons and spoiled them whenever she could.

Nancy and Bill lived in various places during their married life, starting in Chatsworth, California, then Sellersburg, Indiana, and Fort Wayne, Indiana, before finally settling in Morristown, Tennessee, where they resided for more than 40 years. Nancy was always very active in her community and her church, making friends everywhere she went. In Morristown, Nancy supported many community organizations and served at First Christian Church of Morristown. She spent her last years in the Chattanooga, Tennessee area, first living with her daughter and son-in-law. She then resided at Morning Pointe Senior Living in Ooltewah, Tennessee, and finally at The Bridge at Ooltewah Assisted Living, where she enjoyed socializing, sharing stories about her life and family, playing games, especially bingo, and meeting new people.

Nancy worked for the president of a family-owned local insurance company in Indianapolis, Indiana, the Allen County Board of Health in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Philips Electronics in Jefferson City, Tennessee. But for most of her life, Nancy was a faithful and dedicated stay-at-home wife and mother. She prioritized her family over most everything else. She loved her family unconditionally, was extremely patient and empathetic, a role model of kindness, and supported and guided her family with calm, steady resolve. She encouraged her daughters to be independent but always made time for them when they needed it, believing in them and serving as a source of strength.

Nancy is survived by her daughters, Adrianne Kaylor, Denice Kaylor Hickman, and Valerie Kaylor Lucas (Chris), her grandsons, Christopher Wilkerson, Matthew Hickman, and Alexander Lucas, her adored brother, Jerry Banks (Peggy), her "sister-in-heart," Janet Ralph, numerous nieces and nephews, extended family, and dear friends. Nancy was predeceased by her beloved husband, Bill; her cherished daughter, Lara Annette Kaylor; her parents, Samuel J. and Helen Louise Banks; and several siblings.

Nancy will be remembered as a loving wife, a treasured mother and friend to her daughters, an attentive and supportive sister and aunt, and an enduring friend. Nancy had a strong faith in the Lord, and one of the last things she said as she was preparing to leave this world was that she was excited to see Jesus. Those who love Nancy will miss her, but we rejoice that she is now in Heaven and has entered the presence of God.

To celebrate Nancy's life, a memorial service will be held at First Christian Church of Morristown on Saturday, February 21st at 2 pm, with Ross McSherry officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Nancy's memory to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, the American Heart Association, Blood Cancer United, or Johnson University.