Nancy J. (Watkins) Truex, 77, of Huntsville, Alabama, passed away at home on July 13, 2026, after a period of declining health.
She was born on December 12, 1948, in Batesville, Indiana to Ralph and Rosemary (McCammon) Watkins. Her formative years were spent on the family farm in Aurora, where she helped raise feeder pigs. She was also involved at Mt. Sinai United Methodist Church, 4H, and DAR. She graduated from Purdue University in 1970 and earned her master’s degrees from Indiana University in 1976 and 1996.
A longtime resident of Fishers, Indiana, she was a fourth-generation educator. Nancy served as a Media Specialist at both Brook Park Elementary and College Wood Elementary. Throughout her career, she taught and encouraged countless students, wrote several grants, served on many committees, and was instrumental in modernizing the school district’s library management system. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and held many other professional affiliations. She was also a member and past President of the Associate Chapter of Phi Beta Psi.
Nancy loved being outdoors, working with plants, baking, reading, and was an avid fan of the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever. She enjoyed taking things apart and putting them back together. She was known for her good stories, her quick wit, and her daffodil garden, which she shared with neighbors and friends each spring. She will be remembered for her love of family, her caring heart, and the many lives she touched through her years as an educator, neighbor, and friend. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Surviving are her son and daughter; Ryan Truex (Kelly) and Annie Padgett (Rob); 3 grandchildren, Bailey, Jaden, and Ariana; her sister, Marjorie Farrer (Hank); and a nephew and niece, John Watkins and Sarah Watkins. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Betty Watkins.
Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation on July 20 at Noon until the time of the funeral service at 1:00. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Aurora.
If desired, memorial contributions may be made to The Arbor Day Foundation or Phi Beta Psi Cancer Research.