Nancy Short Stone

Nancy Short Stone (84), a beloved community leader, dedicated volunteer, and devoted mother and grandmother, died on January 8, 2025, at her home. Nancy touched the lives of many in the Kentucky communities of Franklin, Nicholasville, and Versailles.

Nancy was the daughter of the late Harvell and Annie Laura Short of Portland, TN. She is survived by her children, Ann Stone of Versailles, KY, and Katherine Stone (Jeff Walther) of Lexington, KY; her brother, Gil Short (Debbie) of Goodlettsville, TN; and her grandchildren, Hallie Walther, Megan Jones, Henry Walther, and Cayce Jones. She also leaves behind cherished nieces and nephews. Nancy was preceded in death by her siblings, Ray Short and Pat Minor (Robin).

Throughout her life, Nancy dedicated herself to a variety of volunteer activities and board memberships, enhancing her community and positively impacting countless lives. She was deeply involved with the Franklin Band Boosters and served as the FSHS Speech Team Broadcasting Coach. She served on the state level as a board member for Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky. She took immense pride in serving as the Committee Chair for Franklin’s State Bicentennial Celebration, which was recognized by the Governor as one of the top five bicentennial events in Kentucky. Her work in preserving local history included authoring a book cataloging unmarked graves in the minority section of Greenlawn Cemetery in Franklin, fundraising for the establishment of an African American portion of the cemetery, and an African American Center. She also played a pivotal role in the downtown jail restoration in Franklin.

Professionally, Nancy had a distinguished career in radio at WFKN/Franklin Favorite, where her live interviews with schoolteachers earned the station the Kentucky Department of Education’s School Bell Award. She later became the Director of the Franklin-Simpson Chamber of Commerce, where she helped launch the Tourism Commission and Transportation Task Force. After relocating to Central Kentucky to be near her daughters, Nancy served as the Director of the Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce and contributed to the Bluegrass Development Committee. She also served as a board member and later President of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives for five years.

Nancy’s dedication and leadership earned her numerous accolades, including being named Chamber of Commerce Director of the Year on two occasions. She also served as the Coordinator for the Transportation Task Force for Nicholasville and Jessamine County and held a gubernatorial appointment to the Kentucky Heritage Council for seven years. Nancy proudly completed Leadership Kentucky in 1998 and remained committed to advancing her community throughout her career.

In retirement, Nancy settled in Versailles, KY, where she embraced her creative side as an avid seamstress and gardener. She developed a passion for genealogy and later discovered a love for quilting, creating beautiful pieces that her family will forever cherish. Nancy was a member of Versailles Presbyterian Church and attended Vanderbilt University.

A drop-in reception to celebrate and remember Nancy’s extraordinary life is scheduled for Sunday, January 19, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Versailles Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. A private service and burial will take place at a later date. In place of flowers, donations may be made to Participation Station at NAMI Lexington, an organization dear to her family’s heart.

An online guestbook is available at www.BettsAndWestFuneralHome.com