On February 2, 2022, our precious and faithful mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Elsie Marie Nance Robertson, was welcomed into God’s Heavenly Kingdom. He graciously allowed her to be in her home and surrounded by her loving family, as He quietly took her to her eternal home. Elsie was the only child of Myrtle Amos and John D. Nance. She was born in Sandy Ridge, North Carolina, on January 6, 1923. She had a wonderful childhood, surrounded by a large family and a doting father.
While visiting her father’s tobacco warehouse in Martinsville, Virginia, she caught the eye of a young farmer and employee, thus beginning a long distance Virginia/North Carolina courtship. She and the young farmer, Dan S. Robertson, of Axton, Virginia, were married by Dr. Chevis Horne, on April 19, 1948. They remained married until his passing on November 21, 2005. After their marriage, the young couple moved into the Axton home of Dan’s family and lived there until their home was built. Dan came from a large family, and some of his siblings still lived at home. Elsie was welcomed into this dynamic family household. She learned to cook under the watchful eye of her mother-in-law, whom she adored.
Elsie and Dan were blessed with a long marriage, welcoming three children, four grandchildren, and recently three great-grandchildren. Throughout her life, Elsie always treated others with kindness. She did not gossip. I doubt she ever told a lie in her life. She was honest to a fault. An ugly word never crossed her lips. She loved her family fiercely. Elsie was a quiet person, who was more comfortable talking one on one, rather than in a large group setting (the complete opposite of Dan, who never met a stranger and loved to talk). But in her quietness was her strength. She was a woman of faith, which deepened over the years. She was a loyal listener of Dr. Charles Stanley and Rev. Billy Graham. Programs that featured gospel and Christian music were often on her television.
Thanks to the care and support of her family, Elsie was able to live in her home until her death. She was very grateful for this and told us many times. Her memory was excellent and until the last few days, she did most things for herself. She had a blessed life and she knew this and was grateful for it.
During the last three days of her life, she had several conversations with God. He let her visit heaven and told her she was coming there when she died. What a blessing!
In addition to her parents and husband, Elsie was preceded in death by her son, Dana Kent Robertson. She will be deeply missed and is survived by her son, Danny Keith, and wife, Janice and daughter Donna R. Wilson and husband, Bill. Also surviving are four grandchildren, John Robertson, Kristin Miller, and husband Christopher, Lynn Ann Smith and husband Bentley, and Dan Wilson. Her three great-grandchildren, whom she spent time with and FaceTimed and added so much joy to her life, are Franklin Smith, Calia Mykenna Miller, and Graham Smith. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Alta Robertson, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Her family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of Martinsville Hospital for their care and kindness over the past week. We would also like to thank Mountain Valley Hospice for the excellent care and support given to our mother and family.
We especially want to thank Dr. James Isernia and his entire staff for the excellent medical care, encouragement, and kindness shown to our mother over the past 25 years. We are saddened that he was unable to attend to her during her final days.
Our mother was very upset with the way our country has changed over the past few years, and she often said if people would simply treat each other with kindness and live the life God intended for us, then everything would be better. What a wonderful idea!
A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 5, 2022, at Roselawn Burial Park and will be officiated by Reverend Alan Black. In accordance with CDC guidelines, all in attendance are asked to please wear a mask.
Memorials may be made to Charles Stanley In Touch Ministry, PO Box 7900, Atlanta, GA 30357, or your local church.
Arrangements are by McKee-Stone Funeral Home-Martinsville, VA.
To express condolences online, please visit www.collinsmckeestonemartinsville.com.
