Family Log-In

Click Here

VICKERS, Alice Nanette "Nancy" - Entered and departed this world as a survivor.

Born April 25, 1948, in our nation’s capital, Nancy was the oldest child of Louis Albert DeShayes, Jr. and Audrey Hobbs and would later welcome three brothers, two half-brothers and a beloved sister. She would soon be among the first children in the country to undergo open-heart surgery at Johns Hopkins later immortalized in the film, Something the Lord Made.

In spite of her early health struggle and family turmoil, Nancy went on to thrive and develop into a strong boisterous young woman. She maintained a loving relationship with her grandfather, Louis Sr., exchanging letters until his death.

When her parents separated, Nancy followed Audrey to her hometown of Atlanta, GA, where she took her first job at a dress shop on Whitehall Street before moving on to a position at Davison/Paxton department store (now Macy's) in Peachtree City, GA.

Nancy was a woman who, as her mother did before her, made sure she looked great before leaving the house, everything - clothes, hair, and makeup - in place and perfect Nancy idolized her mother, inheriting her ability to adapt, her independent nature, and beauty.

She was often the life of the party, and would literally talk your ears off. The love of her life, Guinn Vickers, would make her an honest woman in 1973, and the couple along with Guinn's daughter, Belinda, settled down in West Pensacola where they lived for 39 years.

Through ups and downs, Nancy was always there to support her family and would move to Atlanta to provide assistance with the care of her mother and her niece and nephew. Her care was tender and, though her words were sometimes sharp, her love was always present.

After returning to Florida, Nancy took a position with the Hallmark Company, taking immense pleasure in bringing people the means to connect with others through heartfelt and, often, funny greetings. Over the five years Nancy worked with Hallmark, she met many long-lasting friends at stores throughout Pensacola, and developed a love of all things related to the character Maxine.

Nancy would again demonstrate her strength and will to live as she fought a victorious battle against cancer. She and Guinn maintained a union that was full of banter and laughter, and as his health deteriorated, Nancy again became a caregiver, tending to Guinn until he passed in 2011.

Nancy loved Elvis and Star Trek was a voracious reader and had a fascination for her grandfather's home country, France. As the oldest sibling she told the stories, refreshed memories, introduced younger family members to their ancestors and kept mementos and heirlooms that gave us a look into the past.

Nancy mourned the loss of loved ones who departed before her, including her daughter Dawn Michelle, husband Guinn Vickers, mother Audrey Beaty, and brother James Allen DeShayes.

Nancy leaves behind many who loved and will miss her: daughter Belinda Catron; stepfather Ronald J. Beaty; brother Thomas A. DeShayes, and nephew Lance DeShayes; sister Kimberly Doty, brother-in-law Eric, and niece and nephews Heather Nanette, Asher and Joseph; brother John Albert DeShayes, and nieces Lara Jean DeShayes and Marie Leasure; half-brothers Burton DeShayes and Mark DeShayes: grandchildren Tyler, Terry, and Mariah, and the great grandchildren they brought into Nancy’s life.

Nancy was a unique woman, who was strong yet delicate, intelligent and funny, loved freely and spoke ceaselessly. Each member of her family had a special connection with her and grieves her loss while appreciating all she brought to our lives.

A memorial service will be held on February 5, 2016 at 12:30 p.m. at Trahan Family Funeral Home in Pensacola with visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m., followed by internment at Barrancas National Cemetery alongside Guinn.

Donations in memory of Nancy and Guinn may be made to Covenant Hospice in Pensacola.

Provide comfort for the family by planting a tree in memory of Alice N "Nancy" Vickers, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.