Nancy Carol Oakes Shellhaas, 82, passed away peacefully August 22, 2021 She was born June 16, 1939, in Lexington, Kentucky, the daughter of late Samuel B. and Amy Margaret Oakes. She is survived by her loving husband, John Howard Shellhaas, son Jeffrey Jones (Trency), son Scott Shellhaas (Maranda), daughter-in-law LeAnn Shellhaas, granddaughters Jordan Shellhaas, Samantha Jones and Shevi Jones, grandsons Parker Shellhaas and Gates Shellhaas, sister Deborah Whitt (John), brother David Oakes (Brenda), as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by sister Judith Oakes and stepson Gregory Shellhaas.

Nancy attended Lafayette High School, Lexington, KY and Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY. Following college, she joined the administrative staff of the University of Kentucky. Forty years later she retired from a long career as an Undergraduate Admissions Officer, where her first priority was caring for the best interests of her students.

After retiring Nancy dedicated her years to bringing joy to those around her. A large part of this time was taken up by her role of grandmother, or as she preferred it, Nini. She came to have many other “kids” around Lexington, none by blood but you would never know by the way she treated them all as family. This extended to the medical staff of Baptist Health Lexington and Homestead Post Acute, where she maintained a stash of candy bars and cookies for those attending to her needs.

isitation will be held at Milward – Man O’ War, located at 1509 Trent Blvd, Lexington, KY on Thursday, August 26th from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Services will be held at First United Methodist Church, located at 200 West High St., Lexington, KY on Friday, August 27th at 1:00 pm. Burial to follow at Lexington Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the First United Methodist Church or the YMCA of Central Kentucky are appreciated. 

To share a remembrance of Nancy or to offer condolences to her family, please visit milwardfuneral.