Nancy Sue Swanson Pate, 78, passed away peacefully on May 10, 2026, in Georgetown, Texas, after a courageous six-year battle with cancer. She was born June 7, 1947, in Urbana, Illinois, to Lloyd Phillip Swanson and Virginia Ruth Clark Swanson.
Nancy spent her childhood in Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio before returning to Rantoul, Illinois, where her family owned the Rantoul Motel. She graduated from Rantoul Township High School in 1965 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education from Purdue University in 1969, where she was a member of Phi Mu.
Nancy married Bill Pate on May 19, 1984, in Austin, Texas. Together they shared 42 years of marriage, travel, faith, and family. Nancy treasured lifelong friendships and especially loved time spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandson.
She devoted much of her life to serving others through The Caring Place, Meals on Wheels, Community Bible Study, church activities, and the Williamson County Gideons Auxiliary.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents and granddaughter, Faith Virginia Foster.
She is survived by her husband, Bill Pate; daughters Bonnie Warner (Jeff) and Christy Foster (Carl); stepsons Todd Pate (Lorie) and Matt Pate (Melissa); eight grandchildren; one great-grandson; brother Phillip Swanson (Janie); and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Visitation will be held Friday, May 15, 2026, at 1 p.m. at Crestview Baptist Church, followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gideons International or The Caring Place.