Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

July 16, 2024

Nancy Ann Brachey, 80, of Charlotte, died peacefully on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at Atrium Health Mercy Hospital.  She was born on December 2, 1943, in Jefferson, KY to Dorothy (Finley) and Ben Brachey.

Nancy spent her early years in Kentucky, relocating to Florida with her family in 1957.  Nancy knew early on that she wanted to be a journalist.  In 1960, as a Manatee High School student, she was chosen to attend the prestigious High School Journalism Institution on the University of Florida campus. Later, Nancy returned to the University of Florida where she earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism.

Nancy relocated to Charlotte in January 1969 where she was a reporter for The Charlotte Observer. Her first assignment was to cover a Charlotte snowstorm from the point of view of a relocated Floridian.  Nancy enjoyed a 49-year career with The Charlotte Observer.  Mid-career, she returned to the classroom at North Carolina State University where she completed a graduate degree in Horticulture.  It was the springboard to her being named the Garden Editor.  In 2000, Nancy shared her gardening knowledge when she published her book, Nancy Brachey’s Guide to Piedmont Gardening. Even after retirement, Nancy continued to submit her garden column. Her last column ran in April 2018.

Nancy was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church where she was an Elder Emerita. Until her recent health decline, she was always involved with the Advent "hanging of the greens".  Nancy delighted in setting the tables, with floral centerpieces (of course!) for Room in the Inn guests on the Covenant campus. The Covenant boxwoods were never trimmed without Nancy's keen supervision. 

Nancy is survived by her twin brother, David L. Brachey of Bradenton, FL and many cousins in Kentucky.  She was preceded in death by her parents, and by a sister Kate Finley Brachey.

The family will receive visitors at Brooks Funeral Home in Munfordville, KY on Friday,  July 19, 3pm – 5pm CST. There will be a funeral service at Brooks Funeral Home on Saturday, July 20 at 11am CST. Burial will follow in the family plot in Camp Ground Cemetery, 2531 Priceville Rd in Bonnieville, KY.  A memorial service will be held at Covenant Presbyterian Church at a later date.

Memorial gifts may be offered in Nancy’s memory to Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1000 E. Morehead Street, Charlotte, NC  28204 or to the National Kidney Foundation, PO Box 7413 Six Forks Rd., #255 Raleigh, NC  27615.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Avenue in Charlotte, NC and Brooks Funeral Home in Munfordville, KY.