Nancy Blackshire-Little

Nancy (Nan) Blackshire-Little, the daughter of the late Mariah Blackshire and James Little, was born in Dawson, Georgia on March 8, 1935. She spent her younger years in Georgia, Florida, and New Jersey with the Little side of her family. Nan later joined her mother and siblings in New York where she completed her education in the New York City Public School System.

She obtained her CNA certification and worked as a Nurse's Aide at a hospital in the Bronx. Nan later worked at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital as a Telecommunications Operator. During her tenure there, she became heavily involved in the 1199 Union as a Delegate. Nan eagerly joined her co-workers on picket lines as they fought for higher pay and better working conditions.
In 1978, Nan discovered her "gift" from God in writing poetry. She became an accomplished writer, receiving multiple awards and publishing two books: "Through the Eyes of a Poet" and "Straight from a Poet's Mouth." Her writing encompassed supporting unions, promoting education, spirituality, love and disavowing Apartheid and injustice. After her retirement, Nan moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia where she resided until her passing.
In addition to her parents, preceding Nan in death are her five sisters: Ann Hammonds, Lucy King-Hester, Mary Sherman, Beatrice Baker, and Johnnie Mae Johnson; one brother: Joseph McKinney; one great grandson: Taji Davis and one great granddaughter: Raja Davis.

Nan leaves to cherish her memory three children: Darryl Zaire Blackshire (Yvonne), Derryck Blackshire-Little JoAnn), and Rhonda Price (James); seven grandchildren: Michelle Cole, Latesea Peoples, Jada-Koran Little, Derek Hanna, Nicole Clue Garrison, Kareem Givens, and Nicole Jennings; 14 great-grandchildren:
Kevin, Kaleb, Felicia, Rayquan, Davonte, Sydeira, Gabriel, Isaiah, Jazmin, Monasia, Kareem Jr., Cameron, Kania and Demarco; one great-great grandchild Kamari; one Godson Louis Kenneth Brooks and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.