Nancy Howerton Halbert

November 7, 1931 – April 11, 2026

Nancy Howerton Halbert passed away peacefully on April 11, 2026, leaving behind a life defined by love, service, strength, and deep devotion to her family, her faith, and her community.

Nancy dedicated more than five decades of her life to caring for others as a Registered Nurse, spending 52 years in the operating room. She graduated in 1962 from the Petersburg General Hospital School of Nursing and went on to serve at Southside Regional Medical Center for over 55 years. Nursing was not simply her profession—it was her calling. With steady hands and a compassionate heart, she comforted patients and families during some of their most vulnerable moments, leaving a lasting impression on all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Nancy was a natural leader and a tireless advocate for her profession. She served at the local, state, and national levels of the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN), including as National Treasurer, and held numerous leadership roles within the Richmond Area chapter. She mentored countless nurses, always encouraging excellence, kindness, and dedication.

Her commitment to service extended far beyond the hospital walls. A faithful and active member of Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church for over four decades, Nancy served as an Elder, chaired and contributed to the Worship Committee for many years, sang in the choir, and stepped in wherever she was needed. Her faith was a cornerstone of her life, guiding her actions and shaping the way she cared for others.

Nancy also devoted many years to serving her community through public office and civic involvement. She was elected to the Colonial Heights City Council from 1976 to 1980 and served as Vice-Mayor during her term. Over the years, she contributed to numerous boards and commissions, always working selflessly and diligently to make her community a better place. For many years she served as Chair of the Colonial Heights Electoral Board and represented the City of Colonial Heights on the multi-jurisdiction Drug Task Force Grand Jury. In 2025, she was recognized for an incredible 50 years of service to the City of Colonial Heights—a testament to her lifelong dedication.

Above all, Nancy’s greatest joy was her family. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose strength, warmth, and unwavering support were the foundation of generations.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 60 years, Richard Marcellus Halbert; her parents, Una Mae Howerton and Elton Calvin Howerton, Sr.; and her brothers, Elton Calvin Howerton, Jr. and Robert Lee Howerton.

She is survived by her loving children, Richard Marcellus Halbert, Jr. (Carol) and Vicki Halbert Brooks (Bobby). She was a proud and devoted grandmother to Stephanie Halbert Lyon (Chris), Lindsey Halbert Thompson (John), Philip Reed Brooks, III, and Christopher Austin Brooks, and a deeply cherished great-grandmother to Holly Mae Lyon, Tori Lynn Lyon, Audrey Bess Thompson, Laney Serene Lyon, and Sullivan Richard Thompson. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins, all of whom she loved dearly.

Nancy will be remembered for her unshakable strength, her servant’s heart, her quick wit, and the deep love she gave so freely. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched, the family she built, and the community she helped shape.

A service to celebrate Nancy’s life will be held on May 9 at 3:00 PM at Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church, 211 Lynchburg Ave, Colonial Heights, VA 23834

The family kindly requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church or The Guest House, an End of Life Residential Care Home (12400 Nash Rd, Chesterfield, VA 23838), in Nancy’s honor.

She will forever be our beautiful, precious Grandnancy.