Hattie Eleanor Paradise Nance was born on
February 9, 1946 to the union of Leonard and
Mary Paradise in Little Rock, Arkansas. She was
the youngest of twelve children. She accepted
Christ at a young age at Holy Temple Church of
God in Christ, Little Rock, AR.
After relocating to Dallas, she was a member
of St. Phillips Missionary Baptist Church, where
Dr. C. J. Phillips was her pastor. At the time of
her death she was a proud member of The
"Exciting" Singing Hills Baptist Church where
she served on the deaconess board under the
leadership of Pastor Dr. Howard E. Anderson, Sr.
She received her formal education in the
Little Rock Public Schools and graduated
from Horace Mann High School in 1964.
Hattie attended Arkansas A M & N, now the
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Arkansas
and graduated with her Bachelor of Science
Degree in Elementary Education in 1969. She
joined the illustrious Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority,
Incorporated, Alpha Rho Chapter, Fall 1968.
She later earned her Master's in Elementary
Education with emphasis on Math from San
Angelo State University, San Angelo, Texas.
Hattie was an educator and loved working
with children during her career in the Little Rock
School District, San Angelo School District in San
Angelo, Texas and Dallas Independent School
District where she retired in 2003.
Hattie was a lady of faith, she loved traveling,
shopping, dining at fine cuisine, watching
movies and spending time with family and
friends.
She finished her mission on this earth on Thursday,
February 8, 2018, at Baylor Scott & White Hospital
in Dallas, Texas. Hattie was preceded in death
by her parents, seven sisters, two brothers,
husband of twenty-four years, Deacon Paul
Nance, and daughter Alesia Michelle Williams.
She leaves to cherish her memory: one
brother James Thompson, one sister Addie B.
Thompson, both of Little Rock, Arkansas; son-inlaw
John Williams, niece Loretha Wright, stepchildren
Sonya Cooks (Michael), Paul Nance,
Jr. (Renner), and their families, a host of nieces
and nephews, and special friend, Taylor August