Nancy Caroline Ballentine Elliott, age 65, passed away unexpectedly and peacefully on Friday, November 29, 2019 surrounded by her family. A social hour with family and friends will be held on Friday, December 6, 2019 at 1:00 followed by the celebration of her life at 2:00 at her beloved Ballentine Farms Venue, 6921 Sunset Lake Road, Fuquay Varina, NC.

Nancy was an only daughter raised in the small agricultural community of Fuquay Varina, North Carolina and she grew up with a love for the farm life and all animals. Through her younger years Nancy participated in pageantry achieving accolades including Miss Garner, Miss Wake County, and competed in the Miss North Carolina Pageant. She is a graduate of Meredith College with a Bachelors in Music Education and Applied Voice, as well as a Masters in Music. After graduation, she taught Chorus in the public school system.  Nancy had a love for music and was loud and proud; her own beautiful voice could be heard in formal and informal public performances including when she sang the National Anthem at several large sporting events.

When not competing in pageants, Nancy also enjoyed riding and showing Tennessee Walking horses and won prestigious titles on multiple horses. Her most memorable ride was her Reserve World Grand Championship on her own Prides Sharp Dress Man, a special gift from her mother, in the late 1990s at The Celebration in Shelbyville, Tennnessee.

After having her daughters, Jacquelyn and Caroline, Nancy soon transitioned to teaching–not only riding but life long lessons with Tennessee Walking horses. Nancy was the owner of Ballentine Farms located in Fuquay Varina. In August, she was proud to see her granddaughter, Jayden win a World Grand Championship at the National Celebration. She adored cheering on her family and students at shows; her happiest place was to be on the rail. She coached several students to Championship titles. She also served as a North Carolina State Fair Board Member, advocating for the Tennessee Walking Horse and was a lifelong member of the North Carolina Walking Horse Association. She was very proud that her grandchildren were following in her footsteps with Jayden’s recent Celebration wins, Wlyder had just started lessons and she had just given Rhett Elliott his first pony.

To know her was to love her; and her family, friends and animals were the most important part of her life. She was deeply committed to and loved her church, Church Alive. She will be deeply missed by her friends, family, and all who knew her. Nancy was larger than life and now is the fanciest angel of them all.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Boyd and Carolyn Elliott who meant so much to her. She is survived by her daughters, Jacquelyn Way and husband, Chad Way, Caroline Elliott and husband, Johnathan Allen, as well as her three prized grandchildren: Jayden Jackson, Wylder Way and Rhett Elliott Allen.

In lieu of flowers, Nancy would appreciate any donations for a dear friend she was helping. This was something that meant a lot to her she was always helping others before herself. Donations can be made payable to “Caroline Elliott” with “Nancy Elliott Memorial Fund” on the memo line, endorsed on the back “For Deposit Only, Account # 4340003118185” and mailed to:
BB&T
1405 N. Main Street
Fuquay Varina, NC 27526