Nancy "Nina" Williams Dressler
Nancy Carol Williams Dressler, 69, affectionately known as “Nina”, passed away March 29, 2025, at Lewis Gale Medical Center unexpectedly, after a brief illness.
Nina was an amazing person and was loved by all who knew her. She had a sincerity that always made you feel welcome and loved. She had a giving heart and would help anyone in need. She carried on a life of giving even after her death by being an organ donor. She was small in stature but had a larger-than-life personality that made her “spicy”. Her quick wit and sense of humor would have you laughing uncontrollably and embarrass you at the same time. She was so matter of fact and honest. Those who knew her best knew not to ask her a question if you didn’t want to know the truth. She was appropriately inappropriate at times but could quickly turn inappropriately inappropriate.
She had an amazing work ethic and her desire to serve others was immeasurable. This was never more evident than entering the medical field as a nurse in 1988, after graduating from Dabney S. Lancaster Community College’s nursing program. She worked at LewisGale Medical Center on 6-West in Oncology caring for those battling cancer and provided her patients with compassion and guidance during their most difficult times. She then took a nursing position closer to home at the time at the Brian Center in Low Moor, VA, where she worked for twelve years and had an incredible love for the elderly and disabled that never left her. After this position she once again returned to LewisGale Medical Center working on the physical rehabilitation floor on 4-East, ultimately retiring in 2021 after more than 20 years of service. After “retirement”, she continued to serve her community from 2021 until March 2025 working for the Roanoke City Health Department conducting community screenings to ensure individuals with chronic health conditions had access to the supports and services they needed to live a full life. Her coworkers there have expressed how much she will be missed, specifically her kind smile, witty character, and willingness to help and serve however she could.
Family meant everything to Nina, and she left a remarkable legacy. She lit up with pride talking about her daughters, grandchildren, their spouses and significant others. Both of her daughters, Tammy and Jennifer, as well as her grandson Bryan, followed her passion of serving others in the medical field also becoming registered nurses. She shared a love of everything fish and aquariums with her grandson Justin, who she affectionately referred to as “Nunnin”. She also had special names for Christopher, renamed “Cricker” and Bryan fondly called “Baby Bryan” or “Bry Bry.” She enjoyed playing video games, specifically Spyro, Mario, and Ms. Pacman with her grandsons, going fishing at her pond, and wading through the creek on her property. Her granddaughter Morgan was affectionately called “Daisy Lou”, and their special time together included the love of scary movies, soft blankets, and getting fingernails manicured. In addition to enjoying time with family and friends, Nina was an avid reader. This was evident by the hundreds of books she owned. She loved to read “spooky” books as she called them. When asked why she chose to read scary things, she replied, “Because I like to see the bad guy caught.”
Nina was born on October 28, 1955, in Marshall, Texas. Although she left East Texas as a young adult, Texas never left her from that Southern accent to her deep love for the Dallas Cowboys. Preceding her in death were her father, G.C. Williams, mother Dorothy L. Williams, and Grandmother Lena Hamilton. She is survived by her daughters Tammy Sharp and significant other David Harrison, Jennifer Cox and husband Matt, four grandchildren Justin Sharp, Christopher Sharp and wife Jessica, Bryan Sharp, and Morgan Earwood. She is also survived by two very special friends she considered to be her sisters, Elizabeth Dressler and Teresa Guerrero, who she worked with as nurses for many years at LewisGale Medical Center on 4-East, and a “family” of coworkers who she loved serving with at Roanoke City Health Department.
In Keeping with her wishes, there will not be a funeral or memorial service. A celebration of life gathering will be scheduled later. In lieu of flowers, her favorite charity was Saint Jude’s and donations can be made in her honor.
Nina, you were the life of the party and loved by everyone who knew you. You will be missed beyond measure, but your memory lives on in those who knew you, your family, and loved ones. Until we meet again….
