Nancy J. Gaston, age 85, passed peacefully into the arms of her Savior on Monday, March 9, 2026 — a homemcoming she had spent a lifetime preparing for.

She was born on August 19, 1940, in Magnolia, Arkansas, to Wayne Hayes and Helen Whitlow Hayes.
Gaston grew up in Magnolia, where she attended school and laid the foundation for a life built on faith and devotion to others. On March 16, 1957, she married the love of her life, James Gaston, and together they built a home filled with love, laughter, and an open door, raising their family in Sparkman, Arkansas.

She devoted herself fully to her family as a stay-at-home mother and faithfully served in ministry for many years, pouring into the lives of young people and helping build outreach efforts that touched many lives. Her love for the Word of God was not passive. She spent hours each day in Scripture and prayer, and it showed in the way she lived, the way she spoke, and the way she welcomed everyone who crossed her path.

Her favorite verse was Psalm 118:24: “This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.” She didn’t just quote those words, she embodied them. Each morning she greeted the day with gratitude. and every person she encoutered felt the warmth of a woman who genuinely believed life was worth celebrating.

She was known for her open heart and her open home and to many, she was simply “Meme.” Whether someone needed a meal, a prayer, a shoulder, or simply a place to belong, her door was always open. Her laugh was contagious, her generosity was quiet and constant. and her faith was the kind that made people want what she had.

Preceding here in death were her husband, James Gaston; her parents, Wayne Hayes and Helen Whitlow Hayes; her brother, Jerry Hayes; her sister, Sue Briner; her granddaughter, Kelly Carter Seale; her grandson, James Mears; and her great-grandson, Steven Bagwell.

She is survived by her children: John and Kitty Gaston, Sherry and Mike Carter, Becky Gaston, Kristi and Mike Mann; grandchildren: Jerry Hammonds, Letitia and Mike Rosenbaum, Paul & Laronda Carter, Jim & Junae Barnhart, Tiffany and Casey Howell, Morgan Mann; Madison Mann, Dawson Mann; great-grandchildren: Cameron Carter, Emersyn Barnhart, Addisyn Barnhart, Brayson Howell, Levi Howell, Giovani Hernandez, Maddie Chick, Ike Nowlin, Dustin Hammonds, Alex Mosley.

Other survivors are her sister, Donna Beevers, and her husband, George Beevers; her nieces and nephews, including Angie Lester, Gena Sunwall and Carey Beevers; and a wide circle of extended family and friends who loved her deeply.

A private viewing was held for immediate family. Funeral services were held Friday, March 13, at 2:00 p.m. at New Life Church of Sparkman. Arrangements were by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce.