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Nancy Gardner Sewell of Selma, an exemplary educator, media specialist, civic leader, and a strong advocate for children passed away at the age of 81 on Thursday, June 10, 2021, surrounded by family after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Nancy Gardner Sewell was born on September 16, 1939, in Hope Hull, to Elder Tom Gardner Jr. and Effie Nell Gardner. She was the fourth born of the couple’s eight children.

The wind beneath Nancy’s wings was her husband of 53 years, the Late Coach Andrew Anthony Sewell of Selma. They were the proud parents of three children: Alabama’s first Black U.S. Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell, Birmingham, and twin sons— Andrew Dwight Sewell, Birmingham, and Coach Anthony Dewayne Sewell, DeFuniak Springs, FL; and three grandchildren: Neshambia Nicole Sewell, Selma, ; Taylor Gray Sewell, Birmingham, and Carter Andrew Sewell, Madison.

Nancy was preceded in death by her husband Andrew in 2017, her parents Elder Tom and Effie Nell Gardner and her brother Willie Gardner. She is survived by six siblings: Dorothy (Eddie) Jenkins-Sanders, Hope Hull, ; John (Barbara) Gardner, Cleveland, ; Theresa (Charlie) Douglass, Montgomery,; Tom (Estelle) Gardner III, Burkville, ; Gloria (Frank) Humphrey, Montgomery, and Negatha Holt, Burkville, ; sisters-in-law: Mary Brown, Chicago,; Frances Canty and Ann (Dallas) Woodard, Detroit, brother-in-law: Emerson Acoff, Detroit, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and loving mothers to her grandchildren: Shawanda Peeples, Taqua Gray and Michelle Patterson.

Arrangements are as follows:

*NOTE for all events: Mask required; No Photos allowed

Friday, June 18, 2021 

11 a.m. CST – HOMEGOING SERVICES FOR NANCY GARDNER SEWELL

Beulah Primitive Baptist Church

3304 County Road 37 South

Hope Hull, AL 36043

Saturday, June 19, 2021

10 a.m.-noon – LYING IN REPOSE

Historic Brown Chapel AME Church

410 Martin Luther King Street

Selma, AL 36703

Noon –  MEMORIAL CELEBRATION OF LIFE OF NANCY GARDNER SEWELL

*Historic Brown Chapel AME Church

410 Martin Luther King Street

Selma, AL 36703

Interment: New Live Oak Cemetery

22 Dallas Avenue

Selma, AL 36701

Repast: Wallace Community College —Selma

Gymnasium 3000 Earl Goodwin Parkway

Selma, Alabama 36703