Nancy Cannon

Nancy Taylor Pelle Cannon went to her heavenly reward Friday October 4, 2019 after a more than decade long hard battle with multiple rare chronic illnesses, dermatomyositis and interstitial lung disease.

Nancy was the baby daughter of the late James Burruss "Bill" and Ruby Irene Rhodus Taylor of Lancaster, SC. Nancy was born April 25, 1962 in Monroe, NC. Nancy was preceded in death by her husband of 18 years, Charles J."Chuck" Pelle.

A dear friend introduced Nancy to Randy Ray Cannon of Newberry, SC. Nancy and Randy were married April 19, 2008. Nancy moved to Randy’s family farm in Newberry, SC. Nancy enjoyed life on the farm. Riding the six-wheeler, watching the deer, sitting on the porch and playing with the cats were just a few of the things Nancy enjoyed. Randy, and members of his family, introduced Nancy to the world of estate auctions. Nancy quickly became addicted to auctions and made many friends and found some wonderful treasures, including some beautiful glass.

Nancy was a member and past officer of the Columbia Gem and Mineral Society. At one time, she did glass fusing and made jewelry using gold and sterling silver wire. Nancy liked to go to the lapidary schools in Georgia and North Carolina and take jewelry making classes.

Nancy was an ardent supporter of The University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana. Nancy was a member of The Badin Guild. She liked to visit the campus and attend football games. In 1996 Nancy and Chuck attended the Emerald Isle Classic in Dublin, Ireland where thousands of Americans cheered Notre Dame to victory over Navy. The game was a highlight of a two-week trip touring Ireland where Nancy also saw the Book of Kells and kissed the Blarney Stone. Nancy said that was the best two weeks of her life. Up until her death, Nancy was still corresponding with a friend in Ireland that she met while attending the game.

The best hour in her life came during the weekend celebration of her 35th birthday. Warbirds,Inc. of Spartanburg SC happened to have their annual fly-in for vintage aircraft the same weekend as Nancy's birthday. Nancy and Chuck were both members of the club and participated in many fun activities that weekend. Much to her surprise, Chuck had arranged for Nancy to fly in a Stearman PT-17, an open cockpit World War II biplane. It was a glorious experience and something Nancy remembered fondly.

Nancy had many interests. She was a licensed amateur radio operator. Her call sign was N4YAS. She enjoyed a variety of crafts; painting, glass fusing, making mosaics, making jewelry, doing needlework, taking photographs, crocheting, and researching her family history. Nancy loved her family and wanted to know their story, more than just the date of birth and date of death. She was always pleased to find an obituary with interesting details.

Nancy started her favorite role in life in 2010 when she became Gigi and Randy became RanRan to Taylor Rae Palmer. Gigi and RanRan had many wonderful hours with Taylor, reading books, coloring, playing in the yard, going on adventures, visiting museums, looking at the Christmas lights, or just snuggling together. Being allowed to be Gigi was a great blessing and joy to Nancy.

Even though Nancy got sick less than a year after she and Randy had married, the two still managed to have many great moments. They completely remodeled Randy’s family farm home in their own way. They attended many auctions and estate sales, some as far away as Alabama and Maryland, to furnish the Farm. When Nancy had to see a doctor at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, MD, Randy also managed to take Nancy to West Virginia to visit the Fenton Glass Factory on the way home. Their most recent adventure lasted three weeks and over 3,500 miles as they toured the New England States. On that trip, Nancy was able to spend time with some of her Myositis friends in Connecticut. Nancy really enjoyed that trip......good friends, good food, and beautiful scenery.

Nancy was diagnosed October 2009 with dermatomyositis and nonspecific interstitial pneumonitis at the Medical University of South Carolina. Randy and Nancy visited several other big-name hospitals but always received the best care at MUSC. Nancy became active in raising Myositis Awareness and was the creator of the Cure Myositis Facebook page. Dermatomyositis is a rare autoimmune disease with no known cause or cure. The disease is often marked by muscle weakness, inflamed muscles and a skin rash. The NSIP is a rare disorder that affects the tissue that surrounds and separates the tiny air sacs of the lungs. Myositis patients often have lung involvement. Please visit The Myositis Association at myositis.org for more information.

Nancy is survived by her husband, Randy Ray Cannon, of Newberry, SC. Special friends Sharon Sterrett and David Dunlap of Lexington, SC. Her niece, Shannon Comar Palmer of Durham, NC and ex-husband David Palmer of West Columbia, SC.  Her nephew, Raymond B. Comar, Jr. and wife, Joni Greene Comar of Aiken, SC. Her older sister, Marilynn Taylor Comar of Columbia, SC and brother-in-law Raymond B. Comar, Sr. of Newberry, SC. Nancy is also survived by a large number of cousins across the state. Even though they were her grandnieces and grandnephew, Nancy felt more like a grandmother and immensely enjoyed spending time with Braden James Comar and Raina Elizabeth Comar of Aiken, SC and Taylor Rae Palmer of Durham, NC.

She is also survived by dear friends Joanne Wilson, Sherry May, Cynthia Garman, Shirley HB Guillard, and was predeceased by dear friend Shirley Lamar.

Nancy credits Dr. Charlie Strange for his wisdom and knowledge and finding the proper treatments that saved her life in 2009 and gave her many more happy years. Nancy and Randy are eternally grateful to Dr. Strange and the Medical University of South Carolina Pulmonary Team.

Nancy and Randy also wish to thank John Pugh and the rest of the team at Prosperity Drug, Prosperity, SC for all of the careful attention and tender care given during Nancy's extended illness.

Donations may be made to The Myositis Association, 1737 King Street, Suite 600, Alexandria, VA 22314 or The Oratory, 434 Charlotte Ave, Rock Hill, SC 29731

Visitation will be Friday October 11, 2019 at Barr-Price funeral home, Lexington, SC from 6-8pm. The funeral will be Saturday October 12, 2019 at 2:00 pm at Colony Lutheran Church, Newberry, SC with Pastor Jerry Trantham presiding, and visitation afterwards.