Barbara Lee Nance, 73, a resident of Silver City, NM

Category: Obituaries Obituaries
Published: 27 March 2023 27 March 2023

Barbara went home to be with Jesus on March 20, 2023 in Silver City, New Mexico. She was born on March 19, 1950 to Annon and Virginia Jorgen in Glendale, California. She was the first born of her parents’ three children

When she was six years old her family moved to Granada Hills, California. Barbara lived in the same house until she left home at the age of 18. She graduated from James Monroe High School in 1968.

In 1976 she married her high school sweetheart, Sherwood Nance. They enjoyed an adventurous life together. They traveled in their RV, rode motorcycles, and owned a swimming pool service business. In addition they worked together creating metal sculptures. Throughout their life they loved their many pet dogs, who truly were their best friends.

Barbara was a brilliant and versatile artist. Mostly self-taught, she excelled at both watercolor and oil painting, stone sculpture, cartooning, and metal works. Her paintings were whimsical and her sculptures were beautifully intricate.

She worked for 21 years as a professional illustrator and cartoonist in the Los Angeles area. Recently she enjoyed illustrating a children’s book called Daisy’s Big Little Prayer written by her niece. Barbara always said that her art was a gift from God. She never ran out of creative ideas.

In 2006 Barbara and Sherwood moved to Silver City, New Mexico. For five years Barbara worked at the Silver City Museum as the volunteer coordinator where she organized cultural events. She also wrote and illustrated weekly articles for the Grant County Beat. Shortly after settling in Silver City, Barbara gave her life to Christ at an Easter service sponsored by Calvary Church. She began attending church and Bible studies where she grew in her faith and made many wonderful friends.

Barbara will be greatly missed by so many. She was very well known in the art world.  She is survived by her husband Sherwood, her sister Nancy Boian, her brother Randy Jorgen, her three cousins, and many nieces and nephews. She will also be missed by her faithful dog, Zephyr, who never left her side.

A celebration of life is scheduled for Saturday, April 22 at 11:00 at Calvary Church located at 3001 Hwy 90 South. Light refreshments will follow.

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies.” John 11:25

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