Nancy Julia Lively was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Oscar Willard and Edna Wilson Lively on January 11, 1922. She graduated from Tulsa Central High School in 1939 and then attended the University of Tulsa where she was a member of PHI MU sorority. Nancy was a top scholar and went into her senior year at TU as the No. 1 scholar on campus. She was a member of Phi Gamma Mu, Kappa Delta Pi and Phi Gamma Kappa honor societies. She was chosen for Mortar Board and Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities. After graduation from TU in 1943, Nancy taught for several years in the Bartlesville Public Schools. During the summer she attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where she earned a Master's Degree in English. Before she married, Nancy taught for several years in the college branch of Oklahoma State University in Okmulgee, Oklahoma.

Nancy married Hayes Richardson in 1950. She took time off from teaching a few years later to raise their three daughters.

When Nancy returned to the classroom, it was to Tulsa's "new" Foster Junior High School to teach 9th grade English. She then moved to East Central High School for four years before retiring.

Nancy was passionate about education and was a life-long learner. This was evident in her many interests including traveling the world, gardening, photography, and a love for animals which led to her serving as a long-time docent at the Tulsa Zoo.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents and infant brother George Willard Lively, her husband, Hayes and her in-laws, J.L. and Lula Richardson.

She is survived by her children, Judy Cameron and husband, Don, Colleen Jackson and Anita French. She is also survived by grandchildren, Ryan Cameron, Brandon Cameron and Courtney Cameron Frederick and husband, Greg, Sean Jackson and Kelsey Jackson Chicaroni and husband, Bruno, Kara French Ledbetter and husband, Damion, and Curtis French.

Nancy is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Phoenix and Conley Frederick, Emersyn and Lennon Hassler, Hayes Jackson and August Ledbetter.

Nancy passed away peacefully on April 24th at the age of 99.

The family requests donations to the Tulsa Zoo in lieu of flowers. Donations can be made online or by mail to Tulsa Zoo, 6421 East 36th Street North, Tulsa, OK 74115

Viewing 9AM-8PM, Thursday, April 29, 2021 at Moore's Southlawn. Funeral service is 10:00 A.M., Friday, April 30, 2021 at Moore's Southlawn Chapel, 9350 E. 51st, Tulsa, OK. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233