Nancy Parker Soles, 79, passed away on January 8th, 2026 with her loving husband of 56 years, Herb Soles, by her side, hand in hand. She was born in Churchland, Virginia on Christmas Day in 1946 to Raymond and Francis Parker. Nancy is survived by Herb, as well as her daughter, Garnett Soles (Brian Dooda), her son, Riley Soles, her grandson, Quinn Dooda, and her cousin, Joyce Davis (Jim). 

Nancy attended Churchland High School and was the first in her family line to graduate from college. She earned a BA in History from Mary Washington College and took several graduate courses at Virginia Tech. Professionally, she became a versatile and seasoned teacher across the elementary, junior high, and high school levels. She worked in the Montgomery County and Fairfax County public school systems, Accotink Academy, Flint Hill School, and St. Stephens School in Northern Virginia, at St. Andrews School in South Florida, and at Norfolk Academy here in Tidewater. 

In the classroom, Nancy brought out the best in her students. She also stood her ground against demanding parents and the larger, culture-wide trend towards grade inflation. Those up close and in her care understood well her always passionate but occasionally tough love: in fact, the 2003 eighth-grade class at St. Andrews dedicated their middle school yearbook to her. “Her sacred vocation,” wrote the class, “is to teach her students to reach for the stars.” Nancy inspired and charmed both students and colleagues alike. 

Truthfully, there are few people Nancy couldn’t charm with her big blue eyes, beautiful smile, and Southern grace. She inherited a charismatic gabbiness from her mother that combined with a generous spirit from her father. Even on the phone, Nancy delighted. The sweet Southern lilt in her voice made anyone on the other end, no matter how far away, feel right at home. And she worked hard to keep her actual home (and yard) equally beautiful, creating a clean and welcoming atmosphere that both comforted and dignified whoever shared in it. 

As a wife, Nancy also brought out the best in Herb, whether he was teaching history, coaching wrestling, running rivers (and a river-running business), leading fundraising campaigns, or being a father. She was gentle, patient, supportive, and always proud of him. Nancy also took great pride in the professional, academic, and creative lives of her children, Garnett and Riley, and her grandson, Quinn. As a mother and grandmother, she lived by the maxim that it is better to give than to receive, sparing as little expense as she could to ensure the success and happiness of her family. For her, Christmas was an all-year event. What she gave most was her time and attentiveness and love. There was, and is, no limit to that love.

Nancy enjoyed working in her yard, reading voraciously, solving crosswords, sipping coffee, hugging her family, snuggling her late cat, Toby, decorating for Christmas, catching up with her friends, writing poems, and watching thunderstorms, among much else. She loved her travels in the US and abroad with Herb. More than any place in the world, though, she loved Virginia—its varied beautiful landscapes, its rich cultural heritage, and its enduring traditional values. From the woodsy cul-de-sacs of Fairfax and UVA’s vibrant campus in Charlottesville, to the warm sun and sand of Virginia Beach and the big blue skies of Churchland, Nancy embodied the very best of her home state, upon which she will continue to shine from afar.

    When the storm passes

The Sun and the Moon and the Stars

    Return to the sky

And the Heavens once again

Take in as much as we give. 

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on February 22nd at Galilee Episcopal Church, 3928 Pacific Avenue, Virginia Beach.