Nancy Caroline (Hughes) Harper was born November 27, 1918 to Roy and Maude Hughes in Springfield, MO. She passed away on February 16, 2015. She attended Boyd, Pipkin, and Springfield High School (Central). She graduated from State Teachers College (now MSU), belonged to the Merry-Go-Rounds and taught art in Cabool, MO following that. In 1943, she married Orin C Harper in Temple, TX. After WWII, they returned to Springfield, became involved in running the family business, Robert E Lee Lumber Company and began their family. Nancy's primary focus in life was on her family, but she always had many friends, interests and hobbies. This included birdwatching, reading, bridge, genealogy, antiques, docenting at Springfield Art Museum, Bible study, and her great love: collecting antiquarian books. She became a dealer and local expert on the quality and value of rare and antique books. Nancy was an active volunteer with Friends of the Library for many years and loved learning new things. Her greatest joy, however, was being able to spend time with her granddaughters and became known as "Neeno" to many. Nancy was predeceased by husband, Orin, in 1981. She is survived by her children, Sam Harper and Sara Harper Hester; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren: Meredith (Hester) Spector (Jonny), Kaila and Eli; Lauren (Hester) Best (Zach), Calan; Maggie (Hester) Ellis (Greg); her brother, Jack Hughes and many cousins. She lived independently until two years ago when she moved to assisted living at Riverview Residential Place in Ozark, MO. She valued her family, friends, and faith in God throughout her life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Springfield Art Museum or Friends of the Library. A visitation will be held 4-6 pm, Thursday February 19 at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home with a private family graveside service planned the following day.