She was born in Jacksonville, Texas on April 4, 1937. Jerry Nan graduated from Raymondville High School as valedictorian of her class. The most rewarding achievement to her was when she became a Nursing Home Administrator for over 40 plus years.

She cared for her residents and loved them like they were family. An accomplishment that stands out in her career was when she fought for patients’ rights. Today, due to her efforts, she played a role in why residents can have animals in their personal rooms.

While advocating for residents’ rights, she had the privilege of working with Marvin Zindler. Jerry Nan worked to care for her residents and make their holidays extra special. She loved her residents and staff like family.

It was important to her to make sure her residents had homemade pies, real turkeys, and homemade dressing. Jerry Nan loved her fami ly dearly and enjoyed spending Christmas with every one of them as it was her favorite holiday. What made it special was the ability to have one day of the year that all her children and grandchildren were together.

Her grandchildren remember her as a strong woman who always stood up for what she believed in and never took no for an answer, and she always had a coke in one hand and a cigarette in the other. Jerry Nan will be missed by many people. She married her husband, Robert Schaff on August 5, 1972.

Jerry Nan is survived by her children Tracye Leenders of Houston, TX, Kim Nawara (Weldon) of Georgetown, TX, Jere Newton (Don) of Willis, TX, Shane Smith (Dawn) of Columbus, TX, Nicole Merta (Carl) Sugarland, TX, Robin Allen (Mike) of Corsicana, TX; grandchildren Nayely Powers, Cassie Nawara, Dante Alfaro, Brandie Rosas, Shane Smith II, Ashlie Vanover, Craig Schaff, Christopher Herron, Meagan Merta, Samantha Eben, Keigan Newton, and Lauran De Leon; great grandchildren Ashlyn, Anthony, Dylan, Austin, Haleigh, Zoey, Avery, Layla, Harvard, Mason, Calvin, Liam, Chloe, Adalyn, Theodore, and Hannah. She is preceded in death by her husband Robert Schaff; parents Edwin and Ruby (Hamilton) Branham; sister and brother- in-law Delilah and Roy Bingham; Aunt Ila Jane Hamilton, and her great grandson Cyler Howard.

A graveside service was held on Friday, July 19, 2024, at 12:00 PM at Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery in Columbus, Texas with Pastor Vernon Griffin officiating. The visitation was held on Friday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus. Pallbearers were Shane Smith II, Keigan Newton, Craig Schaff, Anthony Schaff, Christopher Herron, and Dylan Cheek.

Memorials may be given to Amedisys Hospice, 226 South Live Oak St.in Bellville or American Cancer Society, 2500 Fondren St., Suite 100 in Houston. Online condolences may be given at www. hennekefunera l home. com.