Agnes Nash

Agnes Nash was a strong, stubborn woman who took great pride in her Irish-American heritage. Described as being hard-working and having a lively sense of humor by her family, Agnes loved to have a good time. Although she was a very social woman, family always came first for Agnes: a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, she played a big role in holding her extensive family together.

The early 1900s were a time of turmoil in Ireland, as the Irish leaders began to call for Home Rule (independence from Britain). The Campbell family was far removed from this conflict in the sleepy Michigan town of Texas Corners, however, since their grandparents had immigrated to the United States from Ireland back in 1844. Hugh and Mary (Pierce) Campbell were much more occupied by the birth of their first and only child, a beautiful daughter named Agnes Rosepha, on July 2, 1908.

Agnes was raised on her beloved family farm, which had been in the family for three generations. Agnes loved to tell stories throughout her life, and many of her favorite anecdotes are from those early years on the farm. Once, for example, Agnes had gone down the lane to bring in the cows for her father. While she was standing on the gate, she heard a strange noise that seemed to be coming from up above. When she looked up, she saw an airplane, her first ever. Agnes was so thrilled, she ran home, yelling for everyone to come out and look at the sky – leaving the gate wide open for the cows to escape! Agnes also loved to ride horses, and she often told of being caught by her father riding the work horses without permission. Although Agnes was an only child, she didn’t lack playmates. Her cousins lived on the next farm over, and they were so close that they seemed like brothers and sisters to Agnes. They played together nearly everyday; Agnes was especially close to her cousins Leslie and Lucille. All the kids looked forward to trips to town, which were always special occasions (they traveled by horse and buggy, of course!). Agnes attended school at Texas Corners Country School through the eighth grade. Although she never really enjoyed school, that never stopped her from telling her grandchildren how far she used to have to walk to school, and how easy they had it now!

Agnes met and married Orren Vandenburg. The couple moved to Kalamazoo where together they had three wonderful children; Barbara, Lulabelle and Douglas. Unfortunately Agnes and Orren eventually divorced.

During World War II, Agnes spent some time working in a factory; there were many openings since so many of the workers were fighting overseas. Shortly after the war ended, however, Agnes met her future husband, Clendon "Dutch" Nash. After spending several years together Agnes and Dutch were married and had a wonderful daughter of their own, Darlene. They raised Darlene on her family farm where she herself was raised, (Agnes could never be happy anywhere else). Agnes was never known for her cooking, but she kept a very orderly, organized home, and she was always a loving mother. Dutch and Agnes both loved socializing with friends. They never missed a chance for a party or dancing, and especially enjoyed the picnic parties they threw themselves every summer, which always included music. They also loved to go camping, and took off with their gear as often as possible. Despite their fun-loving spirits, family was very important to both Agnes and Clendon; the Nash family was a very “close-knit” group. Agnes and Dutch had 57 wonderful years together, until his death in 1986. Fortunately, Agnes had a loving family with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren to comfort her. Her grandchildren became the most important part of Agnes’ life – they could always bring a smile to her face. They loved spending time with their grandmother, and also with their grandmother’s “pet,” Teddy – an elderly pony, which Agnes treated like a house pet for twenty-two years. Agnes enjoyed taking the kids to the local 4-H fairs, where one of her grandsons showed Teddy.

In her free time, Agnes loved to embroider, quilt, or watch one of her favorite TV shows: Hee Haw, The Grand Ole’ Oprey, All in the Family, or old-time wrestling. Agnes also enjoyed going to concerts of her favorite musicians, Faron Young and Tex Ritter (father of John Ritter). Whenever they were in the area, Agnes would be in the front row to see them. She kept a scrapbook on them, which she always took with her to concerts; the minute they saw that scrapbook, the performers would recognize her and make a point of visiting with her after the show. During the last eight years of her life, Agnes became increasingly involved with the Vicksburg Community Baptist Church, where she was eventually baptized. Agnes’ most treasured possessions were the family farm she was so proud of and her many family heirlooms. However, the most important part of her life was always her family; she was never happier than when surrounded by children and grandchildren, having fun and enjoying life.

Agnes Rosepha Nash, age 96, died January 29, 2005 at Three Rivers Hospital. She was born July 2, 1908 in Texas Corners, Michigan, the daughter of Hugh and Mary (Pierce) Campbell. Learn more about Agnes, view her Life Story film, and visit with her family and friends Tuesday from 2:00-4:00 & 6:00-8:00 PM at the Betzler & Thompson Life Story Funeral Homes, M-40 South of I-94 Paw Paw, 657-3870, where a celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday. Pastor Robert Elmore of Community Baptist Church in Vicksburg Officiating. Interment Hope Cemetery. Following the burial, food and fellowship will be shared at Community Baptist Church in Vicksburg. Agnes was born and raised on her family farm in Texas Corners which was founded by her great grandparents in 1844 where she was proud to spend her life. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Clendon “Dutch” Nash, a daughter Frances who died at birth, a grandson Tracy Engler, two great grandchildren Wes Engler and baby Joey. Surviving are her four children Barbara (Jim) Lemmen of Vicksburg, Lulabelle Gernaat of Kalamazoo, Douglas (Ann) Vandenburg of Fayetteville, Arkansas and Darlene (Robert) Nash Dooley of Texas Corners, twenty grandchildren, Thirty two great grandchildren and seventeen great, great grandchildren. To read Agnes’ complete Life Story, archive a memory, order flowers, or make a memorial contribution to the Community Baptist Church or The Arthritis Foundation please visit her personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com.