Please join us in celebrating a life well lived by Nance Elaine (Evilsizor) Bradds, 80, who left this world on Sunday, October 25, 2026. Nance was supported until the end by Gayle Bradds, her devoted husband of 53 years of marriage. Nance leaves behind her two sons Griffin (Dara) Bradds, Nathan (Sommer) Bradds, and grandchildren Addison (Matt Keeley), Wyatt (Tadee) Magnon, Bella and Maxwell Bradds of Lebanon. Nance was born on June 15, 1946 in Bellefontaine, Ohio, to Paul and Mary Evilsizor. Nance was their youngest daughter and adored her big sister Scarlett (John) Kinney of Rushylvania. Nance was preceded in death by her parents, niece Deanna (Kinney) Batton of Rushylvania, and brother-in-laws Gary Bradds of Jamestown and John Kinney of Rushylvania. Nance is joyously remembered by the world's greatest nieces, nephews, and their growing families.

Nance and Gayle met when their worlds collided as teachers in Fairborn City Schools (Go Skyhawks!) while living in the same apartment complex. They changed the lives of children as educators, and spent their downtime traveling together with dear friends. They saw most of the United States and loved to see the road less traveled, with favorite spots in the Pacific Northwest and seeing the foliage on the East Coast in the autumn. Nance had some great stories about the "special" shaped pastries at VooDoo Donuts in Portland and fell in love with the whales and otters on their Alaskan cruise. Nance was always Gayle's "girl" and loved him deeply.

Nance led a life of service within the Oakwood City Schools, Fairborn City Schools, and Beavercreek communities. Nance spent over four decades in education, spending the first thirty-one years as a teacher and assistant Principal at Five Points Elementary in Fairborn. Nance then became a proud Lumberjack as the Principal at Edwin D. Smith Elementary in Oakwood for thirteen years. Nance was proud of her prolific accomplishments over 44 years in education, but her 2020 Oakwood Hall of Honor was the icing on the top of a very sweet career!

While Nance was often everyone's favorite teacher, the one kids all requested to have year after year, she was also the mom (and Mimi) who showed up to everything her boys, grandkids, nieces and nephews did over the years. Nance was a loud and proud Buckeye (started by her brother-in-law's storied basketball career), Ohio University Bobcat (where she, Griffen, and Nathan graduated from, and Bella is currently attending), and Beavercreek Beaver mom, PTO member, and resident for fifty years, along with all the schools and teams the children in the family played in over eighty years as a proud supporter.

Nance had some of the best friends who seemed to always know they could find her in a TJMaxx or at Dairy Queen. Nance loved a white sheet cake, fountain Coke, and always asked for extra sprinkles. Nance was known to swipe a big chunk of icing from the back of a wedding cake before it was cut… something she would be seen showing the grandkids how to do the same with a twinkle in her eye.

While Nance will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her, she would appreciate donations, in lieu of flowers, to go to Crayons to Classrooms (1750 Woodman Drive, Dayton, Ohio 45420 in Honor of Nance Bradds). All children should receive a quality education full of new crayons, pencils, and glue… all the things that made Nance smile.  Nance fought a long battle against dementia, but in the end her endurance, can-do spirit, and not wanting to leave anyone who needed her behind, will be what we take away from her last years on earth. Please join us Friday, October 30 at the First Church of Christ, 441 Ledbetter Road, Xenia, Ohio 45385. Visitation will be held from 10:00 - 11:30 AM followed by a memorial service at 11:30. Immediately following will be a graveside farewell at New Silvercreek Cemetery, 841-1183 OH-72, Jamestown, Ohio 45335. All are encouraged to join us back at First Church of Christ for a light luncheon (and all the white cake you can eat) in honor of Nance.  McColaugh FUneral Home is serving the family.